"For the Birds" Concert

Suggested Donation $10 - $20

Students $5

For the Birds features a jazz quintet performing the original music of Seattle pianist and composer Nelda Swiggett. But this is not just a concert. The performance engages the power of artistic expression — live music, spoken words, images and poetry — to connect audiences deeply and emotionally to the scientific realities of climate change. Ultimately a story of hope, individuals leave the performance feeling empowered to take meaningful action.

Why birds? Birds are a part of our daily life experience, and an inspiring connection to the natural world. But climate change is having a significant and alarming impact on many bird species, and this should be a wake-up call for all of us.

Featuring Nelda Swiggett (piano, compositions), Clif Swiggett (trombone), Kate Olson (saxophone, flute), Chris Symer (bass), Adam Kessler (drums), and the poetry of Jill McGrath.

About the Composer

Nelda Swiggett has headlined at many of the Northwest’s top jazz venues, including the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, the Earshot Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, and the Bellevue Jazz Festival. She is an award-winning composer and OA2 Records recording artist. Her five album releases have received rave reviews and extensive airplay around the globe.

On Earth Day 2017, Nelda debuted her first climate-themed work, The Alaska Suite: a story of beauty, loss and hope. This piece has been performed 36 times to date, touching nearly 2500 people across Washington State with its message of hope and call to action. Building on the success of the Alaska Suite, Nelda debuted her new climate piece, For the Birds, in September 2024.

Feedback about the Climate Concerts

“… wonderfully inspiring… The content was informative without being preachy, the music was magical…” — Gail M.

“Wow! So powerful, beautiful, sad, and mournful, but buoyant, hopeful, and joyful too. I love that it ended with a sense of gratitude and optimism. I was moved and inspired and feel lucky to have witnessed the debut performance.” — Andrew Miracle

“You will learn things you didn't know about birds and about climate change and what you can do about it. Eye opening and uplifting.” — Maggi Johnson

“For the Birds” is really truly a powerful, powerful piece. We humans of course are affected by amazing works of art in the moment, when we are listening or viewing. But “For the Birds” has stayed with me for days. It landed very deeply with me and I know it did with others as well. — Kim Maguire

“… spliced with a dialogue about climate science and solutions. It touches the emotional edges of our understanding and invites action from a deeper place.” — Louise Stonington

​”… the quintet’s performance was stellar.​.. ​ Many in the audience told us the haunting music and urgent message both moved them and motivated them to become more involved in climate activism.​” — Keith Ervin, chair of Green Buildings Now

Host or Publisher Congregational Church on Mercer Island