WHAT WE DO
The music is as personal as the person.
Swan Songs fulfills musical last wishes — private concerts matched to each person's favorite music, at no cost to families, with musicians paid for every performance.
HOW IT WORKS
Every Swan Songs concert begins with a request — their music, their moment.
1 The Request
Anyone can request a concert — a family member, a friend, a care professional, or the person themselves. Most people ask for a style of music: opera or mariachi, bluegrass or the blues, gospel or rock.
2 The Match
Swan Songs staff match each request with professional musicians whose artistry fits the person and the moment. When time is short, concerts can come together within hours.
3 The Concert
A 30–40 minute unplugged concert in the home or care facility, often shared with family, loved ones, and caregivers. Intimate, personal, and theirs.
WHEN TO ASK
"Nearing the end of life" doesn't mean the final days
Families often wait, thinking a concert belongs to the very end — but the earlier a request comes, the more fully the person can share in their music. If someone you love has a terminal illness, the right time to ask is now.
At no cost to the family, a favorite style of music or a beloved regional musician comes directly to the home or care facility.
COST & LOGISTICS
Because supporting live music is part of the mission, every musician is compensated for every performance.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS
What follows is as unique as the person who requested it: sometimes joy, sometimes peace, sometimes tears and laughter in the same song. Swan Songs doesn't promise a particular feeling — it honors whatever comes.
THE EXPERIENCE
OUR PROGRAMS
Musical Last Wishes Concerts (All locations)
Swan Songs creates a sense of connection for individuals near the end of life by gifting them private concerts and supports live music in a community by compensating artists for the concerts. These intimate "musical last wishes" concerts are held in healthcare facilities or private homes, and are often attended by family, loved ones, and caregivers. Swan Songs maximizes the impact of the concerts by engaging musicians who match each recipient's favorite style of music, songs, or instruments. From opera to Mariachi, bluegrass to the blues, each concert is unique and deeply meaningful for everyone present.
While musical last wishes concerts are the primary program, Swan Songsalso offers two additional opportunities to include music in the end-of-life experience.
Gift of Song ™ (Austin, TX)
The “Gift of Song” is a song written by a professional songwriter based on someone’s life, customized to reflect their personal story and unique contribution to the world. For those who are facing the end of their time here, hearing their life journey in a song can bring dignity, comfort, and closure. Those who are left behind will have something more than a memory; listening to a song inspired by the colorful details of someone’s life keeps them close to the heart for generations to come.
The Gift of Song program in Austin is a partnership with Texas songwriter and founder of Portrait Songs, George Ensle.
Swan Songs Writing Sessions ™ (Austin, TX)
The “Swan Songs Writing Sessions” program in Austin pairs a loved one who is terminally ill or nearing the end of life with professional songwriter and artist, Darden Smith. Together, they collaborate to capture the individual’s story and uniqueness in song.
Family or friends can also be involved, rendering the songwriting experience as both a celebration and tribute, one preserved in lyrics and melody that can be sung and shared with others for years to come.
Community Support Program (New)
Dedicated funds bring musicians into medical facilities that care for the dying, providing music on a department-wide basis.