Author Archives: jody7711

Spring Musicale 2017

June 4, 2017 Only a few short weeks after OMAG’s performance for Family Visitation Evening, we geared up for our second annual Spring Musicale in the Visitation Room of the Hope Center at the Grafton Reintegration Center. I had sent invitations to colleagues, friends, prisoner advocates in the Cleveland area. The men invited their familyContinue reading “Spring Musicale 2017”

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat

Many of you might remember ABC’s Wide World of Sports that aired each Saturday afternoon in the 1970s. Jim McKay’s voice narrated, dramatic music played, while the visuals showcased the variety of sports events covered in the show. As a child, I was in awe of the strength and excitement of the athletes, but invariably, I couldn’tContinue reading “The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat”

Light switch moment

During the Spring season of OMAG, we worked to prepare for our contribution to the Chaplain’s service as a part of the Wednesday evening Family Visit Evening.  During that occasion, we were asked to provide approximately 25 minutes of music. As is typical of Family Evening, there are chairs and clear plastic tables set up,Continue reading “Light switch moment”

Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow…

Caroling, caroling through the snowChristmas bells are ringingJoyous voices sweet and clearSing the sad of heart to cheerDing, dong, ding, dongChristmas bells are ringing. Santa hats donned. OMAG folders in hand. Officer and Programming Director as guides. OMAG sets forth through the bitter cold and occasional snowflake to spread good holiday cheer. But who isContinue reading “Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow…”

Flaring Emotions

In any long-term human relationship—with best friends, family members, spouses, students, community members—we invariably experience times that are “bumpy.”   Although uncomfortable for brief or perhaps longer periods of time, I suspect these moments of potential volatility occur as a way of realigning, rebalancing, our relationships. One person might present a statement or do something with which weContinue reading “Flaring Emotions”

“Bro’, You’re a Freak of Nature!”

I might have been called many things in life, but never before a “freak of nature.” This was the loud comment offered by an OMAG (Oberlin Music at Grafton) prison choir member after I sang through the first  song we would learn together, “Circle of Life” (NOT The Lion King version!). I politely asked him to explainContinue reading ““Bro’, You’re a Freak of Nature!””

The Sages Have Spoken

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” ~Winston Churchill As a music education researcher, I consult primary sources to inform my research methodology and analyses. What and who would be my primary sources now that I was grappling with rather “bigContinue reading “The Sages Have Spoken”

A rose by any other name…

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” ~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II Names and labels. Shakespeare’s Juliet spoke the words that opened this post to Romeo, who just happened to have the “wrong” last name. He’s a “Montague,” not a “Capulet.” Yet sheContinue reading “A rose by any other name…”

“They’re not there for cheating on a math test…”

In my last post (“Where did this come from?”), I wrote that I was toying with creating a choral ensemble in a rather unusual space—prison. After letting the idea percolate for a few days, my optimistic and altruistic spirit dominated my thinking and feeling about this unique opportunity that crossed my professional and personal lives.Continue reading ““They’re not there for cheating on a math test…””