THE MELODY 4 CHANGE PROJECT

"Children of the Earth"~via Harmony for Change~

2011-06-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Today, we’re sharing a video for “Children of the Earth” created by HARMONY FOR CHANGE. The nonprofit is a group of musicians dedicated to creating awareness of the global consequences of irresponsible human action, in this specific case, the BP oil spill of 2010. Founded by singer/poet Mari Miranda of Costa Rica, and songwriter/musician Gary Belniak of Chicago, the pair met via an online website forum discussing the BP oil spill. Together, they pooled their unique talents, along with musical partners, to create the song “Children of the Earth.”

Included in the list of musicians, artists and associates jumping on board to be involved is Emily Ellsworth, the director for Anima, a Children’s Choir based out of Glen Ellyn, IL. She picked 7 girls to come to a local studio in Warrenville, and directed by producer Gary Belniak, the girls provided their beautiful talents, recording background vocals for the song.

This effort is a stellar example of collaboration, utilizing creative talents for good, and empowering youth to become involved in impacting today’s world for a better tomorrow.Most recently, Harmony for Change is proud to officially be a partner of Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN). All donations and MP3 sales from "Children of the Earth" are channeled directly to LEAN to aid the people and wildlife of the Gulf coast.

Please visit http://www.harmonyforchange.com for more information and show your support.

Happy 1st Birthday "WHEN I DREAM" Music Video ~Redefining Girly~ with Pigtail Pals

2011-02-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, in conjunction with an empowering girl apparel company, Pigtail Pals, we released the video for the girl music anthem, "When I Dream." "You might say I'm just a girl, but I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD" ... OUR DREAM IS FOR EVERY GIRL TO BE SINGING THE LYRICS TO THIS SONG. Please share the song with your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, students, and friends. We want you to be part of the movement to teach girls there are no limits to what they can do, and they can redefine their own rules. Heroes are not born, they are raised. Each child is a gem with unique interests, and we should let them define their own dreams and encourage them to do so without judgement. Let's help retain a sense of wonder and possibility in the next generation, and abandon the stereotypes that are limiting our youth. A tremendous thank you to Pigtail Pals for embracing that philosophy for our girls. We hope you enjoy the video, and Be sure to check the new line of empowering apparel at http://www.pigtailpals.com ("When I Dream" is available on iTunes.)

LEADERSPARK ~Change Our World Together Program Video

2011-02-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

The Melody 4 Change Project's updated promotional video for nonprofit LeaderSpark with audio remastered. Yeah! We are proud to raise awareness for this empowering organization dedicated to making our youth today the leaders of tomorrow via collaboration & community service! http://www.leaderspark.org

Words of Martin

2011-01-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr, we are sharing a video of the song: "Words of Martin". This is a collaboration between songwriter Steve Sperry, and a young talented singer, Josie Treffy. Thank you to Gretch Hladish, of www.midwestartistnetwork.com for sharing this with us.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~MLK

Words of Martin from Gretch Hladish on Vimeo.

LOVE YOUR FLAWZ ~CaitlynCrosby

2011-01-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

A ROCKIN HERO: Caitlyn Crosby

Musician Caitlin Crosby wants you to Embrace Your Flawz. She created this video to highlight men and women, including Crosby, showing off their natural beauty. Many have contributed to the video and website campaign, including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jordan Sparks, Zachary Levi, Margaret Cho, American Idol's Jason Castro, Russell Simmons, Linda & Brooke Hogan, Brie Larson, Avatar's Joel David Moore, Olivia Munn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Charlyne Yi, Emily Osment of Hanna Montana, as well as hundreds of fans who want to show off their flaws! Check out Caitlyn's website dedicated to the endeavor at www.loveyourflawz.com

~Caitlyn's song FLAWZ is this week's pick for the Melody 4 Change Project's Empowering Playlist. Download it from iTunes today~

FIREWORK by Katy Perry ~Melody 4 Change PLAYLIST Choice~

2010-12-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Music has an amazing power! The Melody 4 Change Project is initiating a playlist of empowering tunes we recommend for youth and young adults to listen to for inspiration.

Our first choice is FIREWORK by Katy Perry, not only an infectious pop tune, but the lyrics also capture the spirit of encouragement and believing in oneself in a unique and vivid way. Listen to this song for a guaranteed confidence boost.

What songs inspire you? Email us your nominations for the Empowering Playlist at melody4change@gmail.com and check back weekly for our selection.

Midwest Artist Network musically mentors teens

2010-12-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

A network organization based out of Walworth, Wisconsin initiated a singing competition for aspiring singers under the age of 18, called the Midwest Artist Search Juniors. The top 10 winners received the recording of one track on a compilation CD. What so amazing about that? All the songs are original, most of which were either written by other junior songwriters or written with the participation of the young singers. Kudos to the Midwest Artist Network for mentoring a future generation of music makers. Below is a video collage documenting the competition and recording process to complete the Midwest Artist Juniors Compilation CD. More information is available on the organization's website at http://www.midwestartistnetwork.com

MIDWEST ARTIST SEARCH - Junior Competition from Midwest Artist Network on Vimeo.

LEADERSPARK ~Change Our World Together

2010-11-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

Today, we highlight nonprofit LEADERSPARK, an organization dedicated to building leadership skills in youth via their hands-on, community interactive program curriculum.

The key core learning components of the curriculum are:
(1) "awareness" of leadership characteristics and styles
(2) "practice" of group relations and process techniques
(3) immediate "application" of this learning in a community setting

The Melody 4 Change Project song "Change Our World Together" is used as the backdrop for this LeaderSpark fundraising video highlighting the program and the youth who have benefitted as participants. Please visit http://www.leaderspark.org to learn more.

We Stop Hate

2010-11-08T10:18:00.001-08:00

Today we are highlighting a youth superhero, the founder of #WeStopHate, Emily-Anne Rigal. She is a perfect example of how teens are standing up, working together and showing they are heroes for tomorrow's generation. We believe if teenagers can follow in her footsteps, bullying can be a thing of the past. Read about Emily-Anne Rigal, aka "Schmiddlebopper" and WeStopHate in the linked article below.

Walsingham student promotes self-esteem

We end this post with one of Emily-Anne's favorite quotes by Jack Kerouac:
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. The only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward."

"Some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

If you know of a youth under the age of 20 doing extraordinary things and making an impact in today's world, please email us at melody4change@hotmail.com

Pink Shirts sending message to BULLYs

2010-10-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

International STAND UP to Bullying Day is November 19th, 2010. Let's encourage students to show support by wearing pink shirts. Go to www.standupday.com to find out more and register.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Rachel Simmons Info on Reducing Cyberbullying

2010-09-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Just heard on CNN another 13 year old commits suicide over bullying. We must stop this. How can youth be empowered if they are breaking each other down? Schools just aren't able to do enough, so this is a call for all parents to engage with their kids about this very, very, important issue:

What to do if your child is the cyberbully: a new guest blog on @RachelJSimmons website: – What to Do if Your Child is the Cyberbully.

http://www.rachelsimmons.com/2010/09/guest-blog-consequences-connection-what-to-do-if-your-child-is-the-cyberbully/

Thank You to LeaderSpark

2010-09-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the Executive Director of Leader Spark for meeting with us this past week. We've been working hard on the full length video of "Change Our World" to be launched at their fundraising event on October 22nd in Columbus, Ohio.

Please visit http://www.leaderspark.org to check out the amazing work of this nonprofit, a United Way Member Agency facilitating programs for teens that are "igniting the power of youth leadership!"

Inspired by Reviving Ophelia

2010-09-24T18:01:00.001-07:00

Inspired from Reviving Ophelia! A book written by Mary Pipher, Ph.D. which "shines high-beam headlights on the world of teenage girls. Here's a line that struck us hard "Once girls understand the effects of the (media)culture on their lives, they can fight back ... Intelligent resistance keeps the true self alive." AMEN, AMEN, AMEN ... Girls, fight back. Don't let a video, song, or magazine tell you who you should be. You know your authentic self, and please don't abandon her. Resist the media's pressure to create a false self. Be true to you! #girlsempowered

Teen Suicide ... what you should know

2010-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Teen suicide is at an all time high. Let's teach our children how to love each other and stop hurting themselves and others.

WE R ... open call for today's youth heroes!

2010-09-14T11:35:00.001-07:00

The song WE R is a celebration of youth taking action and making an impact in today's world! We'd like to highlight them in a video for the song. Please nominate your favorite youth hero (must be under the age of 20) by emailing us at melody4change@hotmail.com.

"Teaching Love"

2010-09-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

We believe setting the foundation for a better world tomorrow requires "Teaching Love" today. Thus, why this blog post from Pigtail Pals made us cry. The tears are sweet because my soul comprehends with every molecule what love is, how it feels, and how joyous the world can be if every human being on this planet knew that LOVE is the only thing in this world that really matters, and showed it to each other through kindness. Think of the type of world we have the power to manifest by the simple acts we choose to do out of love, even for strangers.

The tears also have an attached sadness to them because there are children in homes without love, adults who have never experienced it, and we now live in a culture where LOVE is forgotten and must be “taught.” I read the other day that belief systems of adults are primarily shaped by what we see and experience from ages 2 to 7 years old. Wow, that made me take all the more serious not only what my children witness, but how I treat them and they treat each other.

How do I teach love as a parent? Through setting an example of kindness, through conversation on values, through encouragement of others, through taking every opportunity I can to praise. I’m not perfect, but whenever, my children are acting out, I’ve had to sit down, reflect, and recognize that it’s really about them receiving love, and I am accountable for building their foundation with it.

READ ON ... TEACHING LOVE BLOG by PIGTAIL PALS
http://blog.pigtailpals.com/2010/09/teaching-love/

Mother Earth, We Hear You

2010-04-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

Melody 4 Change Project presents

"Mother Earth, We Hear You" video for Earth Day 2010.

"I saw the pictures of Haiti, and of New Orleans.

Now, the earthquake in Chile, and my heart is breaking at the seams.

I see a father, mother and a child, with nothing but the will to survive.

What can we do?"

"Mother Earth, Mother Earth, we feel you

Mother Earth, Mother Earth, our home

Mother Earth, we hear you,

Not a soul should ever be alone

Let's take care of our own

Take care of our own."

Melody 4 Change Project on Facebook

2010-03-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

We created a facebook page for the newly initiated Melody 4 Change Project. Are you ready to be part of the movement to change the world through melody and collaboration?

Become a fan at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melody-for-Change-Project/353752526905

Feel free to share your thoughts on the page, including
~nonprofits and community groups you'd like to promote
~connections and suggestions for collaboration
~volunteering ideas
~how you'd like to pitch in

The Melody 4 Change Project

2010-03-04T18:41:00.001-08:00

Hello, I'm Jill Dawson. I'm a singer/songwriter from Chicago, and this blog is to document how we can (and will!) impact our world positively through melody and collaboration.

With my recent return to the music scene after several years of hiatus, I've noticed a disturbing trend in the industry: An increase in the value of celebrity status and a signficant decline in the quality, and in turn, appreciation and value of original songs.

I'm not old enough to experience the folk revolution of the 60s, but I do know that music had a message that impacted a culture and created positive movement. With today's youth now being referred to as the "lost generation" I think it is time for that to be infused into the music industry again.

I believe the power of music is very strong, and can inject compassion and hope into our society. I have an idea for an endeavor called the Melody for Change Project. My vision for this endeavor is to fulfill two primary objectives:

The first is ...

(1) Have musicians come together to create songs for nonprofits that empower and uplift youth.

Let's write songs that can promote what they do, so their impact can be known and grow. We have seen musicians come together as a result of the Haiti earthquake, but I think we as songwriters need to focus more original songs on topics that help people deal with the realities of today's world. Let's write songs that provide reflections of how we can all come together to make tomorrow better. These songs can then be released in partnership with the nonprofits via viral videos, thereby giving them a much needed musical voice.

The second objective is to

(2) Teach songwriting skills to youth

There is too much focus on pursuing fame and not enough on self-development. We are all creators, and it is time we provide youth the skills to create their own masterpieces of beauty and inspiration. Let’s encourage them to replace their time spent absorbing shallow entertainment with time spent creating and sharing their passions. Let's help them shape positive visions for what the future holds for their generation, and place THAT in a song.

So, this is the vision, and this is just the beginning. I have completed several songs that can be the catalyst to move this forward, one called "WHEN I DREAM" for girls, encouraging them to be bold, unique and dream big. It was recently endorsed by the Global Ambassador for the Self-Esteem Fund, Jess Weiner, and the girl teeshirt company Pigtail Pals is using it to promote their wonderful designs with a similar message. I'll post the video to this blog.

I'm also writing a song for a nonprofit called LeaderSpark, whose objective is to partner with youth organizations and business to teach youth leadership skills. Hopefully a demo will be available by end of April.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

I think we can have a stronger impact if we show how people can work together for the common good.

Can you volunteer your time or your gift??

If you are a musician or songwriter, I'd love to have you contribute or collaborate on a song, and/or offer your talents on a recording.

If you are a studio owner, you could donate studio time. If you are a producer/recording engineer, donate your expertise in that area.

If you are a teacher of music or songwriter, I'd love your help with the songwriting curriculum.

Other helpful skills we could use are video editing, and web/graphic design.

If you just love the idea, but are not sure how to help, please volunteer to be part of an advisory board to help shape the programs and figure out how to fund the recording and release of the music.

The Melody for Change Project. Making Melodies that will Change tomorrow's world by impacting youth today. Ready to join the Movement??