Braintree, MA and Lyons, NJ (February 12, 2024) – The Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms now celebrating its 48th anniversary, is singing the praises of its residents at Valley Brook Village in Lyons, New Jersey, for composing and recording an original song in creative partnership with a team from the non-profit organization Music For All Seasons (www.musicforallseasons.org)
Seven residents from Valley Brook Village participated in the 2023-2024 Voices of Valor music project session, with four providing vocals to the original composition. Valley Brook Village in Lyons, New Jersey, is home to formerly homeless Veterans.
After nine weeks of hard work and commitment, the residents, working with a team from Music For All Seasons, Inc. professionally recorded an original song.
“Talk About Hope” conveys heartfelt expression of positivity and promise in the aftermath of challenging times. With phrases including “My world was a storm, but now I’m strong” and “If you look within, you’ll find your peace and power,” the five-minute song also underscores the importance of reaching out for help.
This marks the third year that residents of Valley Brook Village have participated in the Voices of Valor music project, according to Matthew Lanese, resident service coordinator.
“This program is an amazing opportunity for our residents to learn about themselves, and each other, while creating an original piece of art they can be proud of,” said Lanese. “I've seen residents who were complete strangers become friends over the lyrics they created.”
He continued, “It’s rewarding that after weeks of creative, dedicated work our Veterans come together in the recording studio and have a chance to be professionally recorded musicians. It brings something out that they may not have known they had in them. Our hope is to continue this project for many more years to bring the gift of music to the Veterans at Valley Brook Village.”
“It is a pleasure working with the Veterans at Valley Brook Village, and with Matthew Lanese, who is always available to ensure that the program will run smoothly,” said Rena Fruchter, artistic director with Music For All Seasons, Inc. “The Veterans at Valley Brook Village are enthusiastic and interested in the process of songwriting and recording and excited to go into a studio and sing the work they have created as a group. Their discussions are interesting and insightful, and we are gratified that our Voices of Valor program helps Veterans express thoughts and feelings they have sometimes kept inside for many years.”
“This unique project not only fosters creativity, but also honors the experiences of its participants,” said Melissa Fish-Crane, principal and CEO of The Peabody Companies. “It is one of many wellness programs offered at our supportive housing community for Veterans, all designed to assist residents help meet their goals.”
Voices of Valor is a nine-session program that brings together small groups of Veterans who talk about music, their challenges, and their experiences. Over the course of the program the group writes lyrics and music, with help from two professional leaders, and records their original song in a studio. At the end of the project Voices of Valor holds a CD Release Party for the Veterans and their invited guests. Each participant in the program receives a copy of the CD.
