Memory Remix:
transforming grief
Background
Preserving the voices of those important to us is a common practice.
The natural qualities of a recorded voice make it a powerful tool for musical engagement.
“Creating music with my grandfather’s voice brought me back to my relationship with him as a child -- unadulterated by strained familial relationships, long-distance communication, and religious expectation. It reminded me that grandpa did not express love in a wide breadth of words, but rather a loving and gentle emotional presence.” - D., participant
The Project
Created by music therapist Renate Rohlfing and composer Shawn Jaeger, Memory Remix focuses on individual sonic artifacts that people have preserved from their loved ones. These artifacts might be a voice message, memo, or old cassette tape.
Participants explore interventions using electronic audio processing software, instruments, and their own voices. The results range from a beat, ringtone, or a true musical dialogue with the voices that have been lost.
The adaptability, creative engagement, and unique personal nature of the work makes this a novel method of processing grief.
Read about it in my article for Psychology Today.
Goals
Participants
gain new perspectives on present and past relationships
develop a sense of control over the grieving process
examine and transform challenging emotions into healthier frameworks
This project promotes musical creativity as accessible to all, fostering self-expression and well-being for lifelong benefit.
For more…
Rohlfing and Jaeger have hosted workshops throughout 2021 working with various populations. Please click below if you’re interested in hosting or participating in a future workshop.
