Goals:

• Catharsis through the creation of music and lyrics.

• A sense of accomplishment gained from a recorded, produced, professional product.

Additional Benefits:

• Exposure to a safe, professional environment which encourages artistic and emotional expression.

• Trauma informed, competence centered mentoring and partnering.

• A sense of control in creative direction, as well as professional cooperation/teamwork as the project comes together.

• The opportunity to co-direct a musical project with live piano, cello, bass, guitar, and percussion, as well as cutting edge digital instrument technology used in modern Hollywood scores and Billboard hits.

Song Factory is inclusive and designed for a diverse population:

• Ages 7 and up

• All ethnicities

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Score: 1-10

• Male, Female, Trans, Non-Binary

• All sexual orientations

• Varied trauma history and behaviors (see list)

Recommended Criteria:

• Has social worker willing to collaborate in the process

• Ability to read and write

• Currently does not engage or benefit in traditional therapeutic interventions

• Interest and/or aptitude in music, poetry, and/or storytelling

• Willingness to attempt something new

• Has experienced difficult event(s) that she or he has not fully processed

Please note that the criteria is flexible; if you have someone in mind for this program, please email james@strangefangs.com to see if it could still work! We are more concerned with doing as much good as possible rather than fitting everyone into a rigid definition.

Song Factory uses the Behavior Rating Index for Children (BRIC)* before and after a participant goes through the program to measure quantitative results in the program. This Rapid Assessment Instrument measures the severity of a child’s negative behaviors on a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 being the most severe. As of June 2019, the before/after results are consistently positive, and range from a 10 point improvement to a 30 point improvement.

Song Factory also uses the Hopelessness Scale for Children (HSC)** to measure quantitative results in the program. This Rapid Assessment Instrument gauges hopelessness in those taking the survey, on a scale from 1 to 17, with 1 having the most hope for the future. Participants have progressed from bleak outlooks to scoring an average of 3 on the scale.

As far as qualitative results, we love testimonials! Scroll down to see what our awesome participants and partners have to say about our workshops!

*Stiffman, A. R., Orme, J. G., Evans, D. A., Feldman, R. A., and Keeney, P. A. (1984). A brief measure of children’s behavior problems: The Behavior Rating Index for Children, Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 16, 83-90

**Kadzin, A. E., French, N. H., Unis, A. S., Esceldt-Dawson, K., and Sherick, R. B. (1983) Hopelessness, depression, and suicidal intent among psychiatrically disturbed children, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 504-510.

Any communication with us is strictly confidential.

Song Factory sessions in Broome County are held through the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference in Binghamton, NY.

Song Factory sessions in Dutchess County are held through the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie.

For more information, or to get started, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page and we will get right back to you!

Kim Stratton worked as a marketing recruiter for Binghamton University in the early years of her career and then was provided the opportunity to run a Therapeutic After-School Program (TASP) that captured her heart.  Kim was a social worker and quickly became the Director of TASP where she spent 15 years providing services in an engaging family centered atmosphere.  Kim received two Master’s Degrees (MSW/MASS) in a dual degree program with Binghamton University and University at Albany.  She is currently the Vice President of Quality for the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference focusing on process improvement, quality of services, and data driven decision making. Kim believes that with the right relationships and collaboration, anything is possible.

James Wright Glasgow is an internationally acclaimed composer and the owner of Strange Fangs Song Factory, a music composition and production company in Orange County, New York. Originally from Binghamton, NY, Glasgow’s work has been performed in major cities across the US, Italy, Scotland, and Brazil. Clients he has composed for include the world-touring dance company Galumpha, the Burning Man Festival, Ryan Meadows (sound engineer for Game of Thrones, the Revenant), Sarah Dunton (animator for Tiesto, Post Malone), the New York City Poetry Festival, the Binghamton Philharmonic, Rochester Institute of Technology, and over 60 projects for numerous universities, commercial entities, and private clients since 2015. Glasgow specializes in cello, piano, bass, and guitar performance. Strange Fangs Song Factory is currently producing "Do You See What I Hear," an experimental music and poetry performance with award winning poet Mario Moroni on world tour, as well as "Forget Me Not," a critically-acclaimed feature length work of music, dance, and puppetry which tells the story of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Prior to starting Song Factory (Music Creation Program), Glasgow had also spent five years working with youth in therapeutic settings, including a Therapeutic After School Program, residential treatment, and OPWDD/waiver provision settings.