May 2, 2013

Budding songwriters needed for Songs from the Heart Concert

Cancer patients, family members and cancer health care workers all have a story to tell. Those who want to share their stories through music are invited to enroll in a songwriting workshop for the upcoming May 17 Songs from the Heart Concert. The annual songwriting workshop and concert is sponsored by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Gilda’s Club Nashville.

The songwriting sessions will be held in the evenings, May 14 -15, in the VICC Cancer Clinic conference room and will be led by professional singer and songwriter Tricia Walker. During the two-night workshop, participants will be encouraged to share their cancer stories and Walker will help them transform their ideas into song lyrics.

Walker and her fellow musician Bill Sinclair set the lyrics to music and the duo will perform the completed songs during the free concert, Friday, May 17, at the Vanderbilt Blair School of Music in Turner Hall, 2400 Blakemore Ave. The reception and a silent auction begin at 5 p.m. and the concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from the Blair School main entrance.

“This annual concert is one of the most heartwarming events of the year for cancer patients, families and those of us who help care for these families,” said Cindy Tinker, LMSW, social worker and organizer of the VICC event. “The songs are all unique, yet they have a universal message for all of us. We end up laughing and crying throughout the evening and the concerts are always memorable.”

All proceeds for the event benefit the VICC Caring Hearts Fund which provides financial assistance for cancer patients who have financial hardships during their treatment.

Participants who want to enroll in the songwriting workshop should contact Cindy Tinker at 322-7459.

To reserve a seat for the event, visit www.vicc.org/2013/songs. To learn more about the project, click on www.vicc.org/songs-heart.