Composing melodies for the departed is a unique endeavor undertaken by this individuel based in Leipzig.
Composing Personal Songs for the End of Life Journey
Nadine Maria Schmidt from Leipzig is a unique professional with a deeply moving occupation: she is a songwriter for the dying and the bereaved. Operating under the moniker "Your Musical Monument," she composes deeply personal songs that encapsulate a person's life, either before or after their passing. Her main goal is to preserve memories, express feelings, and provide a dignified farewell.
Crafting a "Musical Monument"
The process begins with conversations. Nadine visits hospice guests or relatives, asking questions, listening intently, and collaborating with them to write a song lyric. Everyone is given the opportunity to express their feelings. "If someone wants to say something - in the song, to the person or to the family - then it gets a place in a verse," she explains.
Some might play instruments, while others contribute quotes or funeral verses. Nadine uses these contributions to create a unique song for each client, often professionally recorded and accompanied by photos and memories on her website.
From Destiny to Music
Nadine has been turning touching stories into music intuitively for quite some time. The moment she wrote a song for a deceased child and played it at the funeral, she understood: "This is my path." Today, she works at the Leipzig Diakonie Hospice as part of an EU-funded project. There, she helps the dying and their families compose songs. These songs are often a comforting experience for everyone involved.
Between Grief and Gratitude
"In dying, there is incredibly much life and love," says Nadine. She often accompanies people until their last breath. Her work resonates deeply, yet she carries it gracefully, perhaps because she has grown up naturally with the concept of death. "I have no fear of my own death," she admits.
A Profession with Potential Growth?
Nadine aims to establish a new profession: the "death and grief-accompanying songwriter." She is currently working on a curriculum for further training. She believes music can help say goodbye - honestly, creatively, and lovingly.
A Song That Endures
What remains is not just a song. It is the memory that was created together. "It's not just about the finished song," says Nadine, "but about the journey there." This journey, one can feel immediately, is full of humanity, dignity, and comfort.
Becoming a Death and Grief-Accompanying Songwriter
To become a death and grief-accompanying songwriter like Nadine Maria Schmidt requires several key steps and qualities. Here is a guide to help you embark on this path:
Steps to Become a Death and Grief-Accompanying Songwriter
- Develop your musical skills, with a focus on composition, songwriting, and instrumental skills.
- Explore themes of death and grief through personal experiences, literary studies, and cultural expressions.
- Understand the needs of the audience by being sensitive, empathetic, and collaborative.
- Build a network and platform by establishing a strong online presence and professional networking.
- Create personalized songs by working closely with clients to understand their wishes and preferences.
- Continuously improve by learning from others, experimenting with different styles, and staying up-to-date with current trends.
By following these steps, you can develop a career as a death and grief-accompanying songwriter, creating meaningful and personalized music for those in need.
- Nadine Maria Schmidt, a professional known for personal songs, aims to establish a new occupation: the 'death and grief-accompanying songwriter'.
- Fashioning unique songs with personal inputs, Nadine's work in the field of 'home-and-garden', 'relationships', and 'pets' often brings comfort to the dying and their families.
- As her professional journey evolves, Nadine is creating a curriculum for further training in the new field, combining her skills in 'music', 'food-and-drink', and 'shopping' to bring healing and closure.
- Before embarking on this path, aspiring 'death and grief-accompanying songwriters' should focus on developing their musical skills, exploring themes of death and grief, and understanding the needs of their clients.
- Establishing a strong online presence and network in the 'fashion-and-beauty' and 'travel' industries can help these songwriters reach a wider audience and make a lasting impact.
