Swan Songs - Fulfilling Musical Wishes At The End Of Life

Austin is a mecca for music lovers, but not everyone can get out to see their favorite musicians. Those with life threatening illnesses are often relegated to a hospital or a home, making going to concerts nearly impossible. Christine Albert has performed in this home before. Fourteen years ago, she played a concert here for Denise Swann's husband John. John had suffered an aneurysm on his brain stem and was in his final days of life. The Swanns were big fans of Christine's and Denise had asked her to do an in-home performance for John.

“I thought it would be a good way to get his friends back together with him,” Swann said. “When he went up to Christine to say, it's emotional, thank you, he really meant it from his heart.” It was that concert that inspired Albert to create Swan Songs. “The swan obviously represents transformation - and John and Denise Swann - it was just the right name and I got goose bumps,” Albert said.

Albert along with others finally got the program off the ground this year, making it a non-profit. The project is designed to organize private concerts for those with life threatening illnesses.

“Swan Songs is set up so they can say 'I love a certain artist, or a style of music',” Albert said. “Whatever is special to that person is what we will try and bring to them.” Whether it be in the home, hospice or hospital, Albert is passionate about giving the gift of music.

“To me the most important thing is making the community at large and especially the medical and hospice community aware that it exists,” she said. It's also important that Swan Songs continues to make music. “We need donations always,” Albert said. “The more financial stability we have, the more families we can serve.”

Families like the Swann's. “It was a wonderful gift and I think it was a gift for all of us,” Swann said.

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