Cancer patients, survivors invited to submit original music compositions

The Stand Up To Cancer Canada Kate McGarrigle Fund has announced the ‘Music As Healing’ Grant Program, an initiative that will encourage both cancer patients and cancer survivors, to share their cancer journey through original music compositions.

Cancer patients and survivors are invited to submit original compositions (music and lyrics) to compete for 10 grants.

Stand Up To Cancer Canada is a Canadian registered charity, launched by the U.S.-based Entertainment Industry Foundation in 2014. Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada) raises funds to support collaborative cancer research teams, as well as education and awareness programs conducted in Canada.

Each applicant is required to submit a sample music file, up to two minutes, of their original composition reflecting their cancer diagnosis, treatment or life as a survivor. The song is not required to be a literal retelling of a personal cancer experience, but may convey any of the emotions and experiences of cancer patients and survivors, such as  hope/optimism, worry/fear, or love for family/ friends/caretakers. All compositions must include lyrics.

The online application can be found at StandUpToCancer.ca/MusicAsHealing

Up to ten finalists will be selected to receive up to $2500 USD as a Music As Healing grant, to support the professional recording of their original composition. Some finalist songs may be compiled into a digital Music As Healing recording for sale, to benefit the Kate McGarrigle Fund for both continuation of the Music As Healing program and sarcoma research.

From now through March 2, 2020, 5pm ET, the Music As Healing program will accept applications from cancer patients in active cancer treatment or care, or cancer survivors, who reside in Canada and the United States. Selection of the ten finalists will be made by the Music As Healing Selection Panel, comprising an array of music and cancer professionals and advocates. Music As Healing Music Director Martha Wainwright, leads the Selection Panel:

This program honors the memory of Kate McGarrigle, a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter who wrote and performed as a duo with her sister Anna McGarrigle. She was the mother of singers Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright from her marriage to American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, composer, Rufus Wainwright serves as Ambassador for the Stand Up To Cancer Canada Kate McGarrigle Fund. Canadian folk-rock singer, songwriter Martha Wainwright serves as Music Director for the Music As Healing program.

When McGarrigle was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2007, it became her mission to combat the disease. After her death in 2010, Rufus, Martha and the Wainwright family have carried on her musical and artist legacy while also funding sarcoma research.

“Music was a constant, a natural extension of daily life for our mother, who was often described as a luminous singer,” stated Martha Wainwright, music director for Music As Healing. “I’m hoping that Music As Healing extends her legacy by illustrating through the songs that will be recorded, and through the listening experience of cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones, how music can provide a bright, shining light through the darkness that can accompany a cancer diagnosis.”

Research has demonstrated that music reduces the side effects of cancer treatment by reducing anxiety during treatment and quelling nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It helps to reduce stress and mitigates both acute and chronic pain. Music also serves to create social connections and a sense of community which can help cancer patients to create supportive and positive aspects in their shared experience.