Praise for SoundsTruck NW
Lullaby Project
The Lullaby Project – conceived by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute – uses the creative process of songwriting to improve maternal health and child bonds with mothers experiencing homelessness. Parents from Path Home are paired with musicians from the Oregon Symphony and local singer-songwriters to create personal lullabies for their children, expressing their hopes and dreams for the future.
In 2018, this collaboration began as part of our Sounds of Home community initiative, and is in close partnership with Path Home (formerly Portland Homeless Family Solutions) a nonprofit organization that empowers homeless families with children to get back into stable, long-term housing. We are continuing our commitment to this impactful program, and we plan on developing and growing it over the years to involve other partner organizations in need of the healing powers of music.
“We were able to create a magical concert experience where parents and their children could hear their songs performed live for the first time ever - along with community members as well.”
– Brandi Tuck, Executive Director, Portland Homeless Family Solutions”
“SoundsTruck made it possible for us to perform in the heart of the community, bringing the joy of music to people where they live. The logistics of performing outside of a concert hall can be tricky but SoundsTruck made it easy.”
– Scott Showalter, President and CEO, Oregon Symphony
Randall Children's Hospital Concert with JoyRx
In 2023, SoundsTruck NW had their first collaboration with JoyRx to put on an event at Randall Children's Hospital. This event featured some of the dedicated JoyRx music specialists who work with children during the stressful and painful time related to extended hospitalizations and treatments for injured and life-threatening illness. In addition to the JoyRx team, SoundsTruck NW was also able to feature some of the past patients and their families as they all presented healing and uplifting music for current and past patients and their families, medical personnel and hospital staff. This event was also broadcast to the rooms of patients who were unable to join us in person in the courtyard. In 2024, SoundsTruck will be joining JoyRx for 2 special events with plans to stream the event to other collaborating hospitals around the US.
“SoundsTruck NW was a joy to work with. They handled much of the logistics, the sound and visual quality were top-notch, and they truly cared about making our event everything that we dreamed it would be. Thank you, SoundsTruck NW for bringing the gift of music to so many in our community!”
- Kacy Smerke, Joy RX
free lunch + play program
The Free Lunch + Play program provides drop in lunch and activities at 24 sites and 5 mobile sites throughout Portland. SoundsTruck NW was pleased to partner with the FL+P program to present 5 concerts in 5 different parks around the city that were interactive, educational and FUN! From classical to jazz to ecology based songs, kids were invited to listen, dance and even try their hand at playing some string instruments.
SoundsTruck NW exceeded our expectations with their spellbinding performances across the city this summer. Park guests of all ages were surprised and delighted by their free concerts, and the instrument petting zoos were a perfect touchpoint for our younger visitors. I would highly recommend SoundsTruck NW to anyone, especially those who are interested in building community through music!
-Jeremiah Sazdanoff, Free Lunch + Play Program
