Four students from Samford University School of Arts’ commercial music program are using their talents to bring hope and joy to children facing serious illnesses through an inspiring collaboration with the Sing Me a Story Foundation.
As part of the Applied Songwriting course taught by Steven Potaczek, program director of commercial music, students Kacie Bell, Eli Huskey, Eliza Coleman and Josie Lackey each selected a story written by a child supported by Sing Me a Story and transformed it into a custom, original song. The finished songs are available online for listeners to enjoy and experience the stories that inspired them. The project combines the power of storytelling, music and compassion — connecting young songwriters to children around the country in an unforgettable way.
“At Samford, we are all about providing an experiential, real-world education,” said Potaczek, who supervised the project and helped the students recorded the songs in Samford’s state-of-the-art commercial music studio. “Opportunities to benefit the world around us are a part of that, and I’m grateful for students who are passionate about making a difference. What better way to express our humanity as a program than by collaborating with and blessing children in need?”
The Sing Me a Story Foundation partners with musicians worldwide to turn stories written by children in hospitals and care centers into songs. Through this partnership, the Samford students were able to take the stories’ words and imagination and give them melody, rhythm and life.
Each student drew inspiration from a child’s imagination — from Grace, a 4-year-old blind girl who dreamed of a unicorn and dinosaur living happily ever after in a magical castle, to Kallen, a 5-year-old boy battling cancer who created a story about a man with an extraordinary love for bananas. “I love the imagination of children,” said student songwriter Eli Huskey. “It was so much fun writing a song that captures their creativity and silliness.”
Samford’s commercial music program prepares students to be business-savvy musicians with the artistic, technological and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s music industry. The Sing Me a Story partnership offered a unique way to put those skills to work — not just to create, but to care.
