Braver Angels Music
Braver Angels Music is constantly working to engage musicians in the work of bridge-building and weave music into other Braver Angels efforts.
Our Work
We’re currently working on four main projects. If you have ideas or connections that might help with any of these efforts, please contact our team at music@braverangels.org
Sometimes, this means arranging for musicians to perform live; other times, this means sourcing recorded songs from our musical community. We also periodically organize concerts (e.g., we hosted an evening of song and gratitude in November 2020).
We build relationships among musicians seeking to create music that speaks to our nation’s political divides. You can find & join the community here.
This takes two forms: first, through a growing set of music ambassadors—established, well-known musicians representing us in the public sphere. Second, we spotlight a grassroots artist of the month, featuring this musician in our online content. You can apply to be an artist of the month here.
We engage young people in musical events and programs that also facilitate productive, positive discussions of political differences.
Events
Braver Music hosts SongSquare, a song swap open to all genres & experience levels, on a monthly basis. We also host periodic concerts, songwriting workshops, & more.
Artist of the Month
Braver Angels has several music-centered initiatives, including concert programming & a growing Facebook community of songwriters. The artist of the month program is intended to bring visibility to grassroots musicians who are currently using their artistry & platforms in the spirit of our organization’s mission.
Nominate yourself or someone else to be a Braver Angels artist of the month!
Press Release: Braver Angels Music Launches Song Contest to Build Bridges with Music Communities
The song contest is back! We’re on the hunt for songs that engage across the aisle. Songwriters across America are invited to apply.
Artist of the Month: Muunie
Therapeutic pop artist Muunie talks with Alma Cook about how becoming “the most healed version of herself” has helped her radically love others.
Artist of the Month: T.J. Troy
T.J. Troy believes artistic freedom and integrity comes first. Read how the Grammy-winning percussionist’s worldview was shaped by international travel—and why he believes music has lost its cultural resonance.
Meet our Team
Our team is made up of about a dozen core volunteers, most of whom focus on one specific project area. We are so grateful for their generosity!
In addition to these volunteers, we have three staff leaders:
Alma Cook, Co-Director
Alma is an R&B singer-songwriter (find her music on Spotify!). She steers the weekly group meetings and leads the charge on musical ambassadorships, including the Artist of the Month program.
Micah Hendler, Co-Director
Micah founded the Jerusalem Youth Chorus (making Forbes‘ 30 Under 30 list along the way!) and Raise Your Voice Labs. He is our development liaison and is laying the groundwork for our youth programming.
John Carroll, Co-Director
John is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter (find his music on his website, where you can also join his mailing list!). He directs our monthly Song Square events and stewards the Facebook songwriting community.
Past Projects
In 2020, the music team organized a Braver Angels songwriting contest. More than 200 songwriters answered our call to submit songs in the spirit of Braver Angels. You can view the full contest collection here, and you can read a series of red/blue dialogues on selected entries here (part 1, part 2, part 3).
Guess what?! We’ve decided to host a song contest in 2023 as well! The only entry fee is Braver Angels membership, which costs a minimum of $12/year. Learn more here and apply now!
