Fort Hayes Arts & Academics High School students recently had the unique opportunity to fine-tune their musical chops with a group of jazz heavyweights. During an Artists in Residence event organized by the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, students like junior Neo Gallegos Samuels took the stage to perform and receive guidance from seasoned professionals. Samuels, energized by the experience, admitted to Columbus City Schools News that the session allowed her to "put more work towards" her craft.
The lineup of mentors boasted names such as Byron Stripling, the artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, pianist Bobby Floyd, who has toured with music legends like Ray Charles, and Alexis Wilson, a former dancer and current author and speaker. Students were treated to not just a performance but also an educational masterclass. Stripling shared personal insights, revealing in a Columbus City Schools News interview, "most people quit before they get started, and then they go to their graves with their music still in them."
Jochen McEvoy, the instrumental music director at Fort Hayes, acknowledged the impactful nature of the event, thanking the musicians for a "truly life-changing day of music making." According to McEvoy, the sessions did not only entertain but also challenged students to aspire for higher musical achievement. The Artists in Residence program extended its reach further, benefiting students at Arts Impact Middle School and Columbus Alternative High School, solidifying the District’s emphasis on the arts.
Feedback from the Fort Hayes students indicated an immediate resonance, with freshman Owen Wood voicing his enthusiasm, particularly for the trumpet, his instrument of choice. He noted the importance of practicing and listening to music more intently, echoing Stripling's sentiments expressed during the class. "There's stuff [Stripling] was talking about like practicing every day and practicing listening, which I listen to some songs, but I think I could do more listening to music and following the models," Wood told Columbus City Schools News.
As the event concluded, the experience left a lingering impression, possibly influencing these young musicians' approaches to their art for years to come. With renewed direction and an embedded belief that their creative voices are significant, these students walked away with more than just technical advice; they departed with inspiration to explore the boundless realm of music and self-expression.
