ABSTRACT
This chapter details a unique music therapy songwriting program, Hear Our Voices, and the songwriting process of the Little Saints, a group of “at-risk” fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The authors, who were also the music therapists working with this group, discuss the relevance of Hip-Hop culture, and its musical framework, to the music therapy process, and to the success of the 154program. One particular song from that CD, “Superwoman/Superman,” is examined for “the message” that emerged from the song’s lyrical content. Lastly, interviews, conducted with group members after the songwriting program, are looked at to gain a better understanding of how the participants responded to being in the songwriting program, as well as evaluate aspects of the program they would keep and those they would change.
