Music to Life: musical innovation for the issues of our time

our identity

Founded in 2000 by Noel “Paul” Stookey (of the 1960’s folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary) and his daughter, Elizabeth Stookey Sunde, Music to Life builds on the strong historical legacy of social movements’ intentional use of music to educate, recruit, and mobilize. We revitalize music to meet the challenges of the modern world and revolutionize the role activist artists can play in accelerating social change. Music to Life understands the complexity of contemporary causes and the diversity of musical genres. We blend this knowledge with multimedia technologies and programming techniques to develop unique musical experiences that amplify an organization’s message, spark engagement with a cause, and empower activist artists to stand on the front lines of social change.

our philosophy

More and more musical artists strive to meaningfully impact their communities
Socially conscious consumers increasingly seek more from music than just entertainment
Complex contemporary causes can be effectively clarified, understood, and internalized through music
Modern multimedia technologies and avenues for digital communication can amplify musical messaging
Multi-genre and multi-generational music can unite diverse audiences around a single cause

our insights

Historically, social movements have used music to attract and educate new activists, to inspire them to devote time and energy to a cause, and to secure their long-term engagement. Music constitutes a fundamental means of articulating collective identity, necessary to forming and sustaining social groups. This sense of collective identity binds individuals to a movement as dedicated supporters. Neurological studies further indicate that listening to music with lyrics results in higher brain activity in regions involved with attention and memory. Listeners become emotionally receptive to a song’s message when lyrics are set to music. Delivered in a multisensory context, music for social change not only engages listeners’ emotions in the moment, but it also inspires sustained loyalty to a cause.