Participants from both the Dr. Peter Centre and Vancouver Native Health Society have combined their creative talents to create The Circle of Song CD.
The project was led by Jeff Smith, music therapist and the CD is named after his program at Native Health. He brought together a stellar team including: Jeff Hatcher, music therapist for the Dr. Peter Centre; the AIDS Community Awareness Program (ACAP) which donated funds for the recording project; and Baker Street Studios, a recording studio in North Vancouver operated by Juno award-winning producer/engineer Paul Baker, who donated studio time and arranged for session musicians to be the backing band.
The real stars, however, were the participants. They were eager to get started and write their own songs. Then, over a period of several days, they gathered to sing and play their songs accompanied by professionals.
"Everyone agrees it was the experience of a lifetime," shared Jeff Hatcher. "I have recorded a number of projects over the years and can truthfully say it was one of the highlights of my professional career. The depth of emotion, honesty, passion and enthusiasm on the CD is incredible. The good feeling and humour we all enjoyed in the studio are also something we will never forget. Jeff Smith and I were grateful to have the opportunity to share with others the remarkable and often unknown talents of people whom we see every day."
The Circle of Song is available in limited quantities through the Dr. Peter Centre.
Reprinted with permission from the Dr. Peter Centre Newsletter (for day health participants) June 2005 Issue 8
