lifesongs project
The Lifesongs Project celebrates the stories of LGBTQ+ people in our local community. Working with professional songwriters and engineers, project participants write and record original songs of love, loss, courage, and affirmation.
about lifesongs project
The Lifesongs Project celebrates the LGBTQ+ community through original music and storytelling. This project was originally conceived by Palaver cellist Matthew Smith as a songwriting collaboration with older adults, and implemented in partnership with the Ethos and the LGBT AgingProject in Boston. In 2021, we launched this initiative in Portland for the first time, partnering with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and MaineTransNet and opening participation up to adults of any age. As rising bigotry threatens hard-won rights and freedoms, these songs are important reminders of where we came from and how far we have to go. Click here to watch the Lifesongs 2021 celebration concert.
This year we will offer Lifesongs Projects in June 2024 in Portland, ME.
the experience
“Songwriting is simply the tool that unlocks these stories. To sit in the room as words are spun into lyrics and sounds are made into melodies is magical. But the most beautiful thing to witness is the connection and trust that is made in these moments. Having started as strangers - the musician and the storyteller complete this process as friends, as humans.”
— Matthew Smith, Palaver Cellist
“Lifesongs Project has been one of the most restorative moments I think any of us have had in the last year and half… So many times over the five days we spent together did I hear the words “affirming,” “safe,” “resonating,” “thankful,” and “seen,” uttered to one another with smiles, laughter, and understanding eyes. What an absolute privilege and honor it has been to be able to work with such incredible people.”
— Sam Spadafore, Artist
Some words past Lifesongs participants and musicians have used to describe the project:
empowering
validating
challenging
exhilarating
vulnerable
courageous
fun
comforting
memorable
empowering validating challenging exhilarating vulnerable courageous fun comforting memorable
listen & learn
get involved
To participate in this year’s Lifesongs Project please email Sampson Spadafore at sampson@palaverstrings.org
Check out this interview with recent Lifesongs participant, Stanley by McKenna Hadley-Burke, while she studied at Maine College of Art's Salt Institute. He discusses his life, and the song he wrote during Palaver Strings Lifesongs Project.
Click here to listen to recordings of past projects.
press featuring the lifesongs project
