During such a tumultuous year, something really unique and sweet has emerged for the tenants living at 1440 Pine. Just down the street sits the nonprofit called eTown Hall. eTown Hall is a place to “educate, entertain and inspire a diverse audience through music and conversation in order to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world” (eTown). Back in March, TGTHR created a partnership with eTown to pair teachers with tenants to help them learn or re-engage with an instrument and produce their own songs. 15 tenants received donated musical instruments and the learning began. Some of the instruments they are playing are the clarinet, guitar, ukulele, and keyboard.
Since March, 11 tenants have maintained consistent 1:1s with an eTown teacher to cultivate their unique musical expression. It’s been a process of growth and perseverance to improve their musical skills. Learning an instrument takes time, and over the past seven months, the tenants have been making strides. So much so, that some of them have been writing their own songs and recording them in a professional recording studio at eTown! Having this opportunity to work in a recording studio is a rare opportunity for most, and so it’s been a special experience for them. One tenant in particular is cooking up something exciting that will eventually be shared with the community. The partnership has been a positive influence in the tenants’ lives when there is so much heaviness this year. As most of us have experienced, music is extremely healing and therapeutic. We are grateful for eTown’s collaboration with us and the tenants at 1440 Pine.
