Elevating unheard stories of service and sacrifice, through song.
In the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, as the world was grasping to understand the threat that COVID-19 posed to public health, the economy, and our way of life, a group of extraordinary community servants stepped forward to assist their neighbors and communities at large with both urgent and everyday needs. Many responded with steadiness, certainty and compassion. Others simply did not have a choice but remain on the front lines.
The service and sacrifice of those whose work we now recognize as "essential" is the inspiration for Listen Up Chicago. Acknowledging the inequitable impact that the pandemic and generations of systemic racism has had on Black and Brown communities in Chicago, we focus on individuals whose service is less likely to receive public accolade, but who are worthy of broader understanding and appreciation.
The arts have the capacity to express and reflect the best of the human spirit.
This project is a tribute to the humanity of our neighbors. It is an opportunity for artists and our audiences to understand them better; to use our artistic skills to elevate their stories, deepen our bonds, and nurture empathy, because our humanity is bound together with theirs.
About the process
We have partnered with community organizations on the West and Southwest sides of Chicago that have nominated employees deserving of recognition and appreciation. These individuals are paired with songwriters who compose and arrange a song of tribute that captures the spirit and musical inspirations of the nominee.
Songs are professionally recorded at Soundmine Studios on the South Side of Chicago.
In addition, we ask participants and songwriters to document their experience in the project and share these reflections and insights in a series of short videos.
About the songs
Songs produced by Listen Up Chicago are intended to honor the participants by telling the stories they wish to share about their lives and their work. Our songwriters’ responsibility is to create a song about and for the nominee, incorporating their musical preferences as much as possible.
While the overall impact of these compositions is uplifting, and the collection of songs is beautifully diverse, we anticipate that participants may be processing difficult, even traumatic experiences as they share with us. We are grateful to be entrusted with these stories and aspire to treat them with dignity and respect.