Power of Harmony
Power of Harmony introduces the healing and therapeutic power of music to youth in correctional facilities through formal education, live professional performances, youth participation and adult mentorship. Its mission is to help change the life trajectory of incarcerated youth by introducing vocal ensemble singing and positive male role models to help teach and demonstrate the values of cooperation and community. The expectation is that exposure to and participation in ensemble singing will enrich the lives of those who participate and serve as a positive component in their lives and experience ‘inside’ and their successful transition into life ‘on the ‘outside’.
The Cornerstones of Power of Harmony
The goal of Power of Harmony is to reduce the recidivism rate among youth by providing a bridge and path back into society that includes a music community support system and male role models.
Music is the vehicle for this program and the four interrelated cornerstones of Power of Harmony are performance, education, participation and mentorship.
Education
Our music pedagogy introduces, encourages, and teaches vocal music to incarcerated youth in a consistent, sustained schedule of classes. Our curriculum builds from an understanding of fundamentals of melody, harmony and rhythm and meets the students where they are…taking them to higher personal and group levels of learning, performance and enjoyment. Our staff includes two music educators for each session and involves adult mentors who sing, engage and support the youth.
Performance
Residents in juvenile correctional facilities are introduced to different musical genres on a regular schedule, through live concerts in the facilities. This serves to not only expose them to the music, but also engage them in conversation to draw them to the educational and participation components of the program. Performances by outside professional groups are done every 4-6 weeks for the residents.
Performers have included collegiate men’s a cappella group, Ten40! (Bowling Green State University), internet sensation and professional contemporary a cappella group, The Trills (Towsend, MD), international recording artists, Naturally 7 (New York, NY), jazz and R&B performers, Lydian Jazz Band, renowned blues group Stamper Starr, reggae icon Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band, latin jazz percussionist Sammy Deleon and his Orchestra, 2004 International Gold Medal Champion quartet Vocal Spectrum, 2018 International Gold Medal Champion quartet, After Hours and internationally-ranked men’s barbershop chorus, Men of Independence (Independence, Ohio).
Making a difference. Creating hope.
Young men who are incarcerated seldom come from a stable family life. They live in an environment of fear, poverty, hopelessness, and violence. They feel trapped in a life cycle that seems to be impossible to interrupt. Their delinquency tends to be caused by a mix of both genetic and environmental factors. They lack strong male role models. Many struggle with feelings of low self-esteem and worth. They have a poor or low socioeconomic status, poor school readiness/performance and/or failure and peer rejection.
Power of Harmony represents an opportunity for these young men to nurture their creativity in a meaningful, positive arts experience. Power of Harmony shows these young men that they are valued, someone cares, and they are worthy of the investment that will provide them a ‘bend in the road’ to change their life cycle; their life course. The mentorship, inside and outside, provides consistent, valuable support they’ve lacked in their youth, thus far. The connection to a men’s chorus gives them a feeling of belonging that might not have existed in their lives, previously…except through negative involvement, such as gangs. Power of Harmony gives them the opportunity to change their trajectory, to make a positive different in their lives. It can make a difference in their lives. It can give them hope.
Investing in the forgotten.
Financially supporting Power of Harmony is an investment in young men who are often forgotten in society once they are behind bars. They feel that no one cares about them. Too often, they are correct. We ask that you help Power of Harmony become the interruptive program in their lives that will build a bridge for their successful transition into a supportive society.
Want to make a monthly recurring gift? Click here to give towards President’s Council, Ambassador of Song, or Key Voices, which all support Power of Harmony!
Participation
Learning and performing vocal music in an ensemble is life-changing. It’s personal. It’s intellectually-challenging. And it teaches cooperation and commitment. Forming a cappella ensembles of youth residents is a key component of Power of Harmony. It is anticipated that these ensembles will perform at least two concerts/year and at various functions within (and perhaps even outside) the facility.
Mentorship
Members of local choruses and area clergy who are vetted and willing to volunteer their time are encouraged to sit in on the music education classes not only to encourage the youth participants, but also to establish mentor relationships with the residents. Time is set aside during each class for social interaction and informal singing to build camaraderie and support. The mentorship continues on the outside. Power of Harmony mentors provide a support system – especially adult males – to lead the youth to singing communities and continue to provide nurturing, compassion and companionship. We believe this is a key component in ‘breaking the cycle’ and providing a path for these young men to lead more productive lives. Formal training of the mentors is an ongoing part of the Power of Harmony program.
“The Power of Harmony gives youth in an underserved community an opportunity to sing and experience how music can change their lives.”