Description
One-day songwriting retreat with approximately six professional songwriters and six Veterans, active-duty military or their family members conducted online.
Beneficiaries
People with physical disabilities
People with psychosocial disabilities
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
Program Areas Served
Nation-wide

Budget
$5,500.00
Description
"Words cannot express how valuable and precious this experience has been for me. Never through my husband's military career has anyone asked me to tell my story as a military wife." We had our first spouses and caregivers retreat in the summer of 2016 and it was very successful. 10 spouses and family members met with songwriters for a one-day retreat. The format was the same as a regular retreat without the Friday night 'meet and greet' component. This was largely a cost-saving measure but we would like to make it a full weekend in the future. We had such a positive response to the retreat that we hope to have at least two this year, with a goal of quarterly retreats for spouses by 2019.
Program Successes
"I was hesitant to sign up but so glad I did. I am also extremely thankful that my daughter Isabella, was able to attend. Music is her passion. She has had to grow up and is a mature 16 year old, yet her experience with you made me realize how young she still is. She deals with anxiety and has a hard time connecting with her (disabled) dad. Her song was an eye opener for my husband and I--when she first played her song for her dad, he was taken back, but he hugged her. Later that night, he asked me if he had really messed up with Isabella? I reminded him that her song is how she feels. I encouraged him to make an effort to reconnect with her through music. Since then, they have attended a concert together and he is driving her to her music lessons. I call them music nerds, when they start talking. I love hearing them talk about music and new music groups. Their relationship is not perfect, but because of Operation Song it is improving."
Beneficiaries
Families
Women and girls
Other Economic Level
Long-term Success
Long term success is also driven by program demand & feedback. Success can also be measured by the multiple media articles that have been published on Operation Song. Long term success is also measured by the consistent implementation of an alumni driven program facilitated fully by Operation Song alumni. In 2018, a Masters thesis was completed looking at the phenomenological experience of Operation Song. 5 key themes were identified that described Operation Song as "a catalyst to invoke personal change". For 10-week programs, direct measurements take place in the form of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale pre-test/post-test assessment of participant perceptions how their ability to handle stress has changed following Operation Song. This scale may be adapted for 2020 in collaboration with a PhD mixed methods dissertation focused on the impacts of Operation Song. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Short-term Success
Each program with Operation Song is measured in a similar manner. Short term success is most significantly driven by program demand and feedback. Our 4th VA national retreat is schedule with a push to make these quarterly programs due to positive feedback from VA therapists, songwriters, & veterans. We are also holding our first open retreat in June 2020 to address the high demand from online and personal requests outside the VA. Short term outcomes are directly measured by participant completion of qualitative questionnaires focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Program Success Monitored By
Program success is measured by 6 key variables. 1-Participants complete a qualitative questionnaire focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. 2-For longer programs, a pre-test/post-test quantitative scale may also be completed. The Cohen Perceived Stress Scale addresses participant perceptions of their ability to handle stress both before & after programs. 3-In 2018, a phenomenological thesis was completed on Operation Song measuring the experience of the program. 4-In 2020, a PhD candidate/Operation Song board member is completing a mixed methods dissertation analysis of the programs. 5-Program demand also drives the measurement of success. Our fourth national retreat in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been scheduled & the VA has proposed implementing these quarterly. 6-We regularly receive positive feedback from VA.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County

Budget
$5,500.00
Description
'This is therapy on steroids." In our 10 week program, a group of 4 to 6 veterans meet for 2 hours a week with one or two professional songwriters. The goal is for each veteran to come away with a song that tells their story, what they want the world to know about themselves and their service. The sessions start out with a casual introduction to the process of songwriting and some quick, fun songs are written with each participant. Once the group bonds, individual participants begin telling their stories and the writers help put the 'puzzle pieces' in place. Other veterans join in, but the final say on content belongs to the one telling the story. By the end of the program, the group has bonded and everyone has a song they can be proud of. The songwriters then do basic recordings of the songs, and a CD is pressed and presented at a closing event for the participants and families. Regular alumni events keep the group connected and engaged in the process of expressing themselves.
Program Successes
From the wife of a veteran who had been through a 10-week program. "Just wanted to say I keep finding guitar pics in the dryer.... Three today alone. Drew has been practicing his song.. And last night when he couldn't sleep he pulled out a note book and was SONG WRITING instead of EATING. He had his first successful weight loss appointment since starting move program at the va last week. That's has a lot to do with y'all so Thanks."
And from a Vietnam veteran, "This thing you have no idea what it's meant to me given me something to live for opened me back up again
like something opened up inside of me. This has helped me more than anything. It has done more for me in two months than the shrink did in two years

Beneficiaries
People with psychosocial disabilities
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
US
Long-term Success
Long term success is also driven by program demand & feedback. Success can also be measured by the multiple media articles that have been published on Operation Song. Long term success is also measured by the consistent implementation of an alumni driven program facilitated fully by Operation Song alumni. In 2018, a Masters thesis was completed looking at the phenomenological experience of Operation Song. 5 key themes were identified that described Operation Song as "a catalyst to invoke personal change". For 10-week programs, direct measurements take place in the form of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale pre-test/post-test assessment of participant perceptions how their ability to handle stress has changed following Operation Song. This scale may be adapted for 2020 in collaboration with a PhD mixed methods dissertation focused on the impacts of Operation Song. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived.
Short-term Success
Each program with Operation Song is measured in a similar manner. Short term success is most significantly driven by program demand and feedback. Our 4th VA national retreat is schedule with a push to make these quarterly programs due to positive feedback from VA therapists, songwriters, & veterans. We are also holding our first open retreat in June 2020 to address the high demand from online and personal requests outside the VA. Short term outcomes are directly measured by participant completion of qualitative questionnaires focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Program Success Monitored By
Program success is measured by 6 key variables. 1-Participants complete a qualitative questionnaire focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. 2-For longer programs, a pre-test/post-test quantitative scale may also be completed. The Cohen Perceived Stress Scale addresses participant perceptions of their ability to handle stress both before & after programs. 3-In 2018, a phenomenological thesis was completed on Operation Song measuring the experience of the program. 4-In 2020, a PhD candidate/Operation Song board member is completing a mixed methods dissertation analysis of the programs. 5-Program demand also drives the measurement of success. Our fourth national retreat in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been scheduled & the VA has proposed implementing these quarterly. 6-We regularly receive wonderful feedback from VA
Program Areas Served
VA facilities in Davidson County and Rutherford County

Budget
$6,000.00
Description
'This is my liberation song.' Kate, US Army veteran. During the month of April (Military Sexual Assault Awareness Month) and for the next few months, Operation Song partners with the Women Veterans Health Care Center in Nashville to provide songwriting as therapy to survivors of MST, military sexual trauma. The Center provides the writing space and referrals for the program and Operation Song provides songwriters. Most of the songwriters are female but occasionally a veteran will wish to tell her story to a male as part of the recovery process, in which case we oblige. Approximately 10 to 15 women veterans participate each year. Once the songs are written, Operation Song makes recordings of the songs and then has them pressed onto a CD to be given out at a closing event for the participants and their families, always an emotional event. In 2015, this event was featured on Nashville and National Pubic Radio on the program, 'Here and Now.'
Program Successes
Quote from participants in our MST program. "Now I don't have to think about it, I can just play my song." "I know for myself, I wouldn't be where I am right now if it weren't for Operation Song allowing me to be proud of myself again and getting the support of the Operation Song family. Both things in life that are priceless, I can't thank you enough for all you've done."

Here is a link to an NPR feature on this retreat to learn more.
https://www.nhpr.org/post/nashville-songwriting-therapy-veterans-who-were-sexually-assauted#stream/0

Also a link to a song by Danielle, P which was featured in the Vantage Point blog on the VA social media.
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/44246/army-veteran-daniell-pollock/
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Music Composition 
Beneficiaries
Women and girls
People with psychosocial disabilities
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
Long-term Success
Long term success is also driven by program demand & feedback. Success can also be measured by the multiple media articles that have been published on Operation Song. Long term success is also measured by the consistent implementation of an alumni driven program facilitated fully by Operation Song alumni. In 2018, a Masters thesis was completed looking at the phenomenological experience of Operation Song. 5 key themes were identified that described Operation Song as "a catalyst to invoke personal change". For 10-week programs, direct measurements take place in the form of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale pre-test/post-test assessment of participant perceptions how their ability to handle stress has changed following Operation Song. This scale may be adapted for 2020 in collaboration with a PhD mixed methods dissertation focused on the impacts of Operation Song. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.This program has been ongoing sin
Short-term Success
Each program with Operation Song is measured in a similar manner. Short term success is most significantly driven by program demand and feedback. Our 4th VA national retreat is schedule with a push to make these quarterly programs due to positive feedback from VA therapists, songwriters, & veterans. We are also holding our first open retreat in June 2020 to address the high demand from online and personal requests outside the VA. Short term outcomes are directly measured by participant completion of qualitative questionnaires focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Program Success Monitored By
Long term success is also driven by program demand & feedback. Success can also be measured by the multiple media articles that have been published on Operation Song. Long term success is also measured by the consistent implementation of an alumni driven program facilitated fully by Operation Song alumni. In 2018, a Masters thesis was completed looking at the phenomenological experience of Operation Song. 5 key themes were identified that described Operation Song as "a catalyst to invoke personal change". For 10-week programs, direct measurements take place in the form of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale pre-test/post-test assessment of participant perceptions how their ability to handle stress has changed following Operation Song. This scale may be adapted for 2020 in collaboration with a PhD mixed methods dissertation focused on the impacts of Operation Song. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Program Areas Served
Davidson County

Budget
$6,000.00
Description
'I accomplished more in those 8 hours than in the 20 shrink sessions I've been to in the last year.' J. Franz, Army Ranger (ret) Iraq. Our weekend retreats feature a Friday night get together with writers, veterans (as many as 12) and sponsors. We have a dinner, then we talk about the program and what to expect, then the songwriters perform some of their hits in an informal setting. The next morning, we pair th writers with veterans and they spend the day writing with a break for lunch. That afternoon, the songs are finished up and basic recordings are made. That evening, after everyone has taken a break, the veterans, their families and the sponsors meet for intimate, acoustic performances of the songs written that day. The veterans and the writers are encouraged to speak and share their feelings about the experience. Over the next few weeks, a CD is made of the songs and presented to the participants and the songs are posted online.
Program Successes
Julius is a 24 year old retired soldier with tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We started out pretty slow, he seemed nervous, kind of flat, maybe not sure what to expect, not very responsive. I started gently asking him general things. It seemed like he was trying to process the questions, and it was a challenge. When I asked what he did in the service, he told me he had been a welder, and a little light came on. He got less reserved and guarded and when I sang back some of what he was saying about welding, "A spark and a flame, the oxygen and acetylene", he was tentatively smiling and singing along.
I then said "The wire and the steel" and he chimed in, "When I pull that trigger, no one dies for real', and I thought, "Wow!, he's a natural." He then talked about pulling  the 'hood' down and focusing on his work, making a 'pretty bead', were his great escapes. When the song was over he hugged me. Later his therapist said he is "very proud of his song and seems a little lighter."
Beneficiaries
People with psychosocial disabilities
At-Risk Populations
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
Long-term Success
Long term success is also driven by program demand & feedback. Success can also be measured by the multiple media articles that have been published on Operation Song. Long term success is also measured by the consistent implementation of an alumni driven program facilitated fully by Operation Song alumni. In 2018, a Masters thesis was completed looking at the phenomenological experience of Operation Song. 5 key themes were identified that described Operation Song as "a catalyst to invoke personal change". For 10-week programs, direct measurements take place in the form of Cohen Perceived Stress Scale pre-test/post-test assessment of participant perceptions how their ability to handle stress has changed following Operation Song. This scale may be adapted for 2020 in collaboration with a PhD mixed methods dissertation focused on the impacts of Operation Song. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Short-term Success
Each program with Operation Song is measured in a similar manner. Short term success is most significantly driven by program demand and feedback. Our 4th VA national retreat is schedule with a push to make these quarterly programs due to positive feedback from VA therapists, songwriters, & veterans. We are also holding our first open retreat in June 2020 to address the high demand from online and personal requests outside the VA. Short term outcomes are directly measured by participant completion of qualitative questionnaires focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. All questionnaires & scales are collectively archived to create concrete program outcomes.
Program Success Monitored By
Program success is measured by 6 key variables. 1-Participants complete a qualitative questionnaire focused on how Operation Song affects their life in terms of immediate changes, ability to open up & share their stories, ability to cope, & the positive aspects they leave with. 2-For longer programs, a pre-test/post-test quantitative scale may also be completed. The Cohen Perceived Stress Scale addresses participant perceptions of their ability to handle stress both before & after programs. 3-In 2018, a phenomenological thesis was completed on Operation Song measuring the experience of the program. 4-In 2020, a PhD candidate/Operation Song board member is completing a mixed methods dissertation analysis of the programs. 5-Program demand also drives the measurement of success. Our fourth national retreat in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been scheduled & the VA has proposed implementing these quarterly. 6-We regularly receive wonderful VA feedback.
Program Areas Served
Nationally