Freedom Songs

No one knows the power of music better than the people who create it.

One very special group of these people not only recognized the healing properties of music, they channeled it into an experience that brings comfort and inspiration to people who have experienced some of humanity’s worst traumas. In 2012, singer-songwriter Darden Smith and Mary Judd created SongwritingWith:Soldiers (). SongwritingWith:Soldiers is a non-profit 510c(3) that uses collaborative songwriting to build creativity, connections and strengths.  SW:S pairs professional songwriters with veterans and service members on active duty. Many of these men and women suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other wounds that endure long after service. In an intense, creative, collaborative process forged on trust, talent, and trauma, the pairs write songs about the pain of war and life at home afterward.  In less than ten years,songwritingwithsildiers.org SW:S has held over 35 songwriting retreats, and its participants have created over 400…