Songs that Connect Us is a com­mu­ni­ty-enga­ged pro­ject for col­la­bo­ra­tive and mea­ning­ful group sin­ging using sto­ry­tel­ling and song. It fos­ters open com­mu­ni­ca­tion and a res­pect for diversity.

The pro­ject was ini­tia­ted by cho­ral direc­tor Dina Cin­drić and the RECAA Choir – a com­mu­ni­ty choir com­po­sed of elders from the eth­nic com­mu­ni­ties of Mon­treal, many of whom belong to the com­mu­ni­ty orga­ni­za­tion RECAA : Res­pec­ting Elders Com­mu­ni­ties Against Abuse.

Par­ti­ci­pants are asked to think of a song that brings them a sense of connec­tion. At the next mee­ting, they are invi­ted to share their sto­ries and songs, which are recor­ded. Over the course of the fol­lo­wing ses­sions, par­ti­ci­pants work toge­ther to learn the songs.

This pro­ject can be used to encou­rage dia­logue on issues impor­tant to the com­mu­ni­ty, or it might ins­pire col­la­bo­ra­tions with other com­mu­ni­ty or cultu­ral groups. Sto­ries and songs can be pre­sen­ted in per­for­mance or use them as content for digi­tal sto­ry­tel­ling projects.

The pro­ject :

• Dee­pens relationships
• Faci­li­tates self-expres­sion and leadership
• Opens dia­logue
• Gathers sto­ries
• Fos­ters team­work and collaboration
• Fos­ters a res­pect for diver­si­ty and inclusiveness
• Pro­vides a space in which par­ti­ci­pants can safe­ly share their his­to­ries, cultu­ral expres­sions and indi­vi­dual voices
• Pro­motes learning
• Encou­rages mind­ful listening
• Builds confi­dence

Down­load the pro­ject work­book in the side­bar for tips on how to :

• Ins­pire storytelling
• Create safe spaces
• Intro­duce and teach songs by rote
• Sing songs in other languages