History: Music to Life
Music to Life has its roots in the humble beginnings of a song. In 1970, Noel Paul Stookey was asked to ‘bless’ his singing partner, Peter Yarrow’s wedding with a song. The prayerful request: “How would You manifest yourself at Peter’s wedding?” resulted in the “Wedding Song”
Initially an answer to a spiritual question, the song, once recorded, became a popular radio selection leading to its inclusion in movies, television shows and countless marriage celebrations. But the question arose: where to assign the writer’s royalties? That challenge was answered by the creation of a foundation (Public Domain) to distribute publishing earnings to local and international charities of all kinds.
Fast forward to the 1990’s when Noel Paul's daughter Liz Sunde suggested how they might build upon the legacy of the “Wedding Song” (and Noel Paul's work as a social change artist) to inspire and support singer/songwriters and their visions for a better world. The exciting and continually evolving answer to that question has resulted in Music to Life.
Since 2000, Music to Life has collaborated with musicians and nonprofits nationwide to develop music-driven programs that raise awareness, spark engagement and empower vulnerable populations. Artists in our network have created LGBTQ operas for teens, an eco hip-hop curriculum for elementary kids, a mind, spirit and music project to heal from Parkinson’s Disease, and lyrical self-esteem circles for women in prison, veterans and homeless individuals. Music to Life's work insures that these multi-genre musicians, at all stages of their careers, and their creative visions for a better world, are cultivated, supported and sustained.