High school singers, instrumentalists, beatmakers and other contemporary musicians are invited to Ohio University’s Popular Music Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, for a free, hands-on look at college-level popular music-making.
Ohio University reported that the event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Glidden Hall on the Athens campus, with check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. and lunch included for all registered participants.
The event highlights the School of Music’s newly renamed Popular Music program, formerly called Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments. Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts dean Roxanne Schroeder-Arce said the change reflects a refreshed vision for the degree program, which focuses on contemporary performance, creative collaboration and artistic identity development.
Ohio University faculty including Popular Music program director Dr. Sean Parsons, voice and artist development professor Jessica Baldwin, and guitar faculty member John Horne will lead sessions alongside current students. Participants will explore groove and feel, arranging, stylistic decision-making and collaborative music-making before breaking into smaller instrument-based sessions and an ensemble rehearsal.
The afternoon includes performance opportunities, faculty and student discussions covering curriculum, auditions and career paths, and a 4 p.m. concert by the Ohio University Popular Music Ensemble. Ohio University noted that students need not come from traditional school music programs to participate.
For more information, visit ohio.edu.