This is the third of a four-segment article by C.J. Woodring, a long-time HSWN resident. CJ discusses Fort Wayne’s past role in music, how hundreds of individuals at all levels continue to support local music, and why many city leaders believe we should be nominated as a “Top 10 Music City.”
By CJ Woodring Read Part I • Part II TODAY'S MUSIC MAKERS Fort Wayne remains blessed with music makers and purveyors of musical instruments that spotlight the city, drawing guests locally and from far beyond city (and state) borders. Although Packard Piano is long gone, globally renowned Sweetwater, the nation’s third largest retailer of musical instruments is based here, along with Sweetwater Academy of Music & Technology. As is Stone Custom Drum Company, where owner Bernie Stone has built a more than 40-year career around drums and drum making. Proprietor of Stone Custom Drum, LLC, Stone has produced hand-made custom and exotic snare or bass drums since 2012. Although he said he’s “scaled down a bit,” Stone is still active and selling online via Reverb.com. Fort Wayne also boasts a plethora of organizations and vocal groups that bring music into our lives. These include Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, Youth Orchestra, and Club O, launched in September for 126 grade school students; Summit City Barbershop Chorus (all-male a cappella chorus and original Fort Wayne Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society chartered in 1944); Fort Wayne Maanerchor/Damenchor, a men's and women's German choir founded in 1869; and Heartland Sings, a nonprofit vocal production company. Formed by founding conductor Dr. William Schlacks (1979-1985), the Fort Wayne Area Community Band performs locally and regionally. The band is now in Residence in the Purdue Fort Wayne College of Visual and Performing Arts under conductor Dr. Scott Humphries. The Fort Wayne Children's Choir, which just celebrated its golden anniversary, kicks off each season with a week-long Choralfest camp, which ends with a final concert. And since 2009, the Hoosier Gentry Barbershop Quartet, each a member of the Summit City Barbershop Chorus, has traveled up to 100 miles from Fort Wayne to entertain for nearly any occasion. Jaenicke Consort Chamber Music Ensemble, a chamber music group, performs as a woodwind trio, quartet, quintet or octet from a diverse repertoire of music. In addition, musical groups from nearly every local high school routinely perform at home football games, also competing in various invitationals and select Bands of America competitions. THE EDUCATORS + INSTRUCTORS Music is good for the soul, and stress relief is a natural byproduct of listening to and appreciating self-created music. Skills developed at any age are beneficial throughout a musician's life and extend far beyond listener pleasure. Involve yourself in vocal, instrumental or dance instructions. Join a community chorus. Or participate in your church’s choir and "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." A wide range of local entities are renowned for teaching music, whether vocal or instrumental. Students range from preschool to adults. Musicians gain self-confidence and a sense of responsibility; concentration, interpersonal and motor skills; mathematical reasoning; psychological abilities; multi-tasking and sensory skills; and mastery of life changes and problem solving. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic excels in bringing life concert experience directly to Northeast Indiana schools. Ten Philharmonic chamber ensembles—eight perform in elementary schools and two specifically in pre-school classrooms— present performances geared to those specific age groups. The Phil's Club Orchestra (grades 2-5) and Club Kid-O (grades K-1) increase self-esteem and teach life lessons to students through music in an orchestra classroom. The Phil joins the Conductors Guild each season to present an international conductor training workshop for young conductors. To ensure each student at any ability level has the opportunity to play an instrument of his/her choice, more than 100 instruments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unity Performing Arts Foundation showcases the World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir, its acclaimed Youth Choral Program, and Dance, in which youngsters learn to perform the foundations and basics of mainstream styles of dance. School of Rock Fort Wayne offers vocal and instrumental music programs for preschool to adult students, while the Fort Wayne Children's Choir, created in 1973 as Children of Peace Choristers, imparts music literacy through song and performance. A team of instructors at the Sweetwater Academy of Music & Technology offers lessons from banjo and bass to violin and voice for all ages. Along with recording and songwriting, Rock Camp, Drum Camp and Build-a-Band master classes are available to more advanced musicians. The Sweetwater Tiny Musicians class serves youngsters 3 years and younger, stressing social skills and related child development. PyleStyle Academy, owned by local musician and band leader Alicia Pyle, offers personalized lessons to dozens of clients while also working with local musicians and bands, booking live music for various events. For multicultural songs in English and Spanish, look to Musical Conexion, which entertains youngsters while teaching them how to communicate in various ways. Programs are overseen by educators/musicians “Cote” Godoy and Kelsie Lee. Fort Wayne also offers a great selection of dance studios, among them Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort Wayne Ballet, Premier Dance Company, Pure Dance Works and Three Rivers Dance Academy. THE HEALERS Music therapy has long been used to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive or social functioning of individuals with health, mental or educational problems/disabilities, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Most often considered "art therapy," the patient-centric treatment helps individuals of all ages by delivering various modalities of art, music and dance to patients, families, caregivers and the community through professional Artists in Residence. In collaboration with Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Parkview Regional Medical Center's Healing Arts Program integrates literary, movement, music and visual arts into holistic patient care. Freelancers use their talents serving the disabled, for which therapy is reimbursed through Medicaid, and in many local hospices, where therapeutic services are paid for through private funding, donations and grants. CJ Woodring has been affiliated with the 46807 district since growing up on W. Oakdale Drive. She graduated from South Side High School and reared her sons on Kinnaird Avenue, where she served as a former HSWNA newsletter editor. She has lived in — and loved — historic places and spaces for more than 30 years. She currently resides in her sixth historic home. Comments are closed.
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