Sounds of Hope Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit music and community outreach program. Its goal is to bring comfort and support through recorded music to people in need of spiritual and/or physical healing by utilizing the donated time and talents of local musicians.
To fulfill our mission and share our belief in the power of music to bring the gift of hope to others, Sounds of Hope Project provides its CDs for a donation of $10. Your $10.00 donation enables Sounds of Hope Project to produce two CDs. Donors receive one as our thank you for your donation, as the second CD will be given to a hospice, nursing home, hospital, shut-in or person in need to fulfill our mission.
Each gift will provide music to comfort, relax, and soothe people in need of spiritual and/or physical healing. Since its launch, Sounds of Hope Project has created 11 CDs and has distributed over 1,000 CDs to shut-ins, those under hospice care, the hospitalized, those in nursing homes, those who are grieving, and others in need.
our story
The Sounds of Hope Project (SOHP) grew from a personal need for hope during a critical period in Mary Lou Lydecker’s life. This project has subsequently brought a new, meaningful direction to her life. Mary Lou’s hope is that the various CDs of the SOHP will provide some happiness, and perhaps some healing to whoever hears them.
Mary Lou was diagnosed in Sept. 2000 with a rare auto immune disease called cold agglutinin. In an effort to stabilize her condition, the doctors suggested that Mary Lou go on disability leave from her music teaching position and her church organist jobs in Feb. 2002.
Through prayer, and the encouragement and support of her family, friends and doctors, she began looking for a new direction for her life. The idea to use her musical talents as well as the abilities of others to produce therapeutic CDs grew out of this soul-searching period. Her first recording, Keys to Peace, was so successful that a 2nd CD, Sounds of Hope, added a flute player and vocalists. Since then, additional performers have contributed their talents to subsequent CDs.
In order to keep costs at a minimum and to be able to provide music to those in need, the SOHP became established as a non-profit organization in May, 2004.
The music on the Sounds of Hope Project CDs encompasses many styles such as classical, folk, patriotic, seasonal, and contemporary Christian music. All of the performers for the recordings donate their time and talents for Sounds of Hope Project’s mission. SOHP also gives local musicians the opportunity to perform and record their favorite classical or inspirational music.