My project is based on creative storytelling combined with songs and a visual presentation highlighting the stories presented. The focus of this project will be to reach and potentially teach individuals to consider history along with current events and how those lessons shape who we are as a humanity.

The songs I plan to perform are inspired by a teen fiction novel called WITNESS by the author Karen Hesse. The book is set during Prohibition in a small Vermont town while the plot of the story reflects a clergyman who attempts to infiltrate the town with the Ku Klux Klan. The text is written in prose with each character (from chapter to chapter) telling her/his point of view about the situation.

I was transfixed by this book and compelled to write “more of the story.” In a sense, short character sketches of individuals I believed needed more background or explanation or information about them. I started with one song – “Only the River Knows” and by the time I finished the entire concept album, I ended up with 12 songs influenced by the book. I also plan to have a rolling visual presentation featuring visuals of the period.