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