The Sing Me a Story foundation contacted me a couple of weeks back.  I receive a lot of emails from organizations trying to sell their services to Kompoz, but this one was very different.  The email was from Austin Atteberry, the organization's founder, who got right to the point.  

"The premise behind our program is that we give children in hospitals, children's homes, and hospice organizations throughout the world the chance to write and illustrate stories about anything they want. We then distribute those stories to songwriters who turn them into songs, record them and send them back to the kids and their families."

What a fantastic idea.  I immediately replied to Austin.  He went on to say:

"Our songwriters have often asked how they might be able to collaborate with each other to create songs for kids in need.  We have been trying to implement a collaboration component to our program and I just came across your site."

After a few emails back-and-forth, I suggested the following.  I told him that I would create a Kompoz Group for Sing Me A Story.  I would also post a blog and a community post to our members, encouraging everyone to get involved.  Austin would do the same to his community of songwriters, encouraging them to use Kompoz to collaborate on songs for the kids.

There are currently hundreds of stories written by children hoping for a song. I know our great community can help to both write amazing music, and to welcome new SMAS musicians to the world of online collaboration.  Please consider joining the group.  Membership is public and all are welcomed.  Pick a story and start a collaboration.  Invite your friends and favorite collaborators to help put a smile on a child's face.

Listen to the NPR Interview