The songs on this CD/tape, were created to be a loving support for anyone facing a major transition in life, whether it be the death of a loved one, the death of self, the death of a relationship, a dream, or a way of being. Serenade At The Doorway takes us on a journey that supports us in accepting the emotions that we experience as human beings and at the same time reminds us of the larger vision that brings wisdom, comfort and inspiration. The beauty of Ann Mortifee's voice, coupled with the passion and poetry of her music and words makes this a rare and uplifting recording.
Serenade At The Doorway is being widely appreciated as a powerful resource in the area of hospice care. Hospice and medical personnel have found that the music opens up a depth and poignancy of communication when it is shared by a grieving family or a family dealing with the life-threatening illness of one of its members.
The tape/CD proceeds as a dialogue, with songs alternating between the voice of the personal self, dealing with matters of loss and mortality, and a voice calling to the eternal wisdom that dwells in each of us. This ageless voice provides guidance for working through the core issues stirred by the fact that even though we are mortal, we love, and are wounded. Healing is possible, and occurs, when we are able to see and understand our crises from a larger context.
"We are forever at a doorway, going through endings and beginnings, always being born or dying to a relationship, a dream, a way of being, or to life itself. Those who have gone before us through the doorway must yearn to send word to those of us who linger awhile."Ann Mortifee
WHAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO SAY ABOUT
SERENADE AT THE DOORWAY
MARION WOODMAN Author : "When we cannot sing, Ann sings our heart's grief in lyrics that bring us hope".
KATHY DOERNER, Ontario: "I had to let you know how much SERENADE AT THE DOORWAY has meant to me. Everyday, time after time I've played it and will continue to be strengthened, uplifted, grounded, opened by the songs.
JOHN ROBBINS, Author and Pulitzer Prize nominee: "A recording of exquisite beauty. I would passionately recommend SERENADE AT THE DOORWAY to anyone in the midst of a profound life transition."
EARL A. GROLLMAN, Author of 18 books on crisis intervention and bereavement, recipeient of the UNESCO Book Award and numerous other humanitarian distinctions: "What I attempt to say in my books and speak in my lectures, SERENADE AT THE DOORWAY expresses more eloquently with the poignancy of your songs
RONALD S. FELLOWS President, The Applewood Centre "Haunting... Deep... An uncompromising exploration of endings and "the pain of letting go"... Ann Mortifee's new work "Serenade at the Doorway" offers our avoidance-dominated culture the opportunity to confront more directly the mystery of our mortality.
Letting go, saying goodbye, dying, all the many endings we experience in our brief human existence on this fragile little planet... these are subjects she examines in this demanding and creative collection of new songs. There is power and wisdom here, but it is not for light-hearted listening."
PATRICIA NITKIN Music Therapist, Lions Gate Hospital Palliative Care Unit
"The music itself is beautifully crafted and sung with depth of feeling and offers a wealth of opportunities for use with individuals who are undergoing a major transition in their lives.
The two songs "I Always Thought I'd Have Tomorrow" and "How Can I Say Good-bye" communicate the pain, the fears, the sadness of leaving a world which has held promise and beauty. If one studies lyrics such as:
I thought there would always
Always be time...
All the things I've left undone
All the dreams that wanted the sun
All the life I've left unlived
All the love I still have to give...
so many people come to mind whose last months seemed to embody those very thoughts, thoughts which are almost impossible to express in words.
The selection called "Anger" provides a validation for feelings of anger that unquestionably arise in situations full of despair and conflict. In such a situation, most people will not be soothed by calming rhythms and melodies. This song, with its bold rhythms and straightforward lyrics, matches the uncomfortable feelings that come with anger. It could be very effective with those people who have unresolved feelings of indignation but do not have the resources to express them. Listening to this piece with such a person would facilitate a discussion on the subject of anger.
"Serenade at the Doorway" is a collection of music which I will be offering to many patients. I believe it is a highly useful medium in Palliative Care."
JANE WHITTALL, M.T.A. Music Therapist. "Serenade at the Doorway" is a very honest, open and intense testimonial of the experience of those who are dying and those who care for them. The songs on this unique tape touch everyemotion I have seen in my music therapy work with the terminally ill - especially those that give voice to questions such as "How Can I Say Good-bye" and "How Can This Be, What's HappeningTo Me?". The returning theme, "Come with me, be not afraid" is carefullywoven among the other songs on the tape and seems to represent recurring themes in our lives. All the songs are supported byextremely creative instrumentation and changes in musical elements that reflect changing emotional and physical states during illness."
CAROL NORWOOD North Vancouver, B.C. "As the daughter of a former palliative care patient, I found most of the songs on this tape touched pockets of feelings that lingered from my time spent on the ward with my Father. Not a man to verbalize his innermost feelings lest he should distress us, I feel a tape such as this would have allowed him to connect with these feelings and serve as an outlet for them."I Always Thought I'd Have Tomorrow" and "How Can I Say Goodbye?" are particularly poignant. "I Won't Stay Silent Any Longer" and "Lead Me Home", I feel would have helped bridge the communication between us regarding his imminent death. I would like to think that other terminally ill patients and maybe their families would have the opportunity to listen to a tape such as this."
LIZ MOFFATT M.BA Music Therapy Coordinator Cap College, Vancouver ."This tape is therapeutic with a high quality and intensity of singing. The music is beautiful, powerful and emotionally evocative."
MAUREEN WILDE B.Sc.N. Palliative Care Unit Lions Gate Hospital. "I have watched "Serenade at the Doorway" relax and allow a young man whose Dad was dying come to terms with his father's death. His emotions had been placed on the "back burner". This tape allowed him to take the time he needed to express his fears of death and talk honestly and openly. I have sent this tape to a friend who has lost vision to allow her to grow - what an exciting experience to have her deal with her anger - and come to terms with the realities in life.
This tape/CD honours others and allows respect and dignity to be actively portrayed. Thank you Ann for this wonderful gift.
Serenade At The Doorway
was written byAnn Mortifee
in collaboration with
David Feinstein Ph.DTO ORDER
ANN MORTIFEE
