COMMUNITY
"The most holy of human rights is the right to art."
-José Antonio Abreu
In a global climate infested with racism, xenophobia, and many other forms of inequality, I find myself questioning more and more how my music career can combat those issues. With budget cuts, changes to the education system, and plenty of other barriers preventing equitable access to music, the need for music to be brought to more places and more people has never been greater. Overall, I think that professional musicians can do a better job of prioritizing music outreach.
Outreach is not just about one-time performance opportunities, it is a chance to build community and allow everyone to take advantage of their right to music with an emphasis on sustainability - continuing a musical presence beyond that initial event. I have been fortunate enough to meet some inspiring musicians who have already started tackling these large problems through music involvement. This has given me the opportunity to gain extensive experience researching, developing, and implementing these types of initiatives.
-Joseph Stacy
Music Manuscripts Museum
In partnership with the Athens Community Music School, the Ohio University MTNA Chapter, and the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Mr. Stacy developed an event known as the Music Manuscripts Museum.
This event, hosted in Ohio University's Alden Library, gave students and their families the opportunity to see and feel manuscripts from different parts of the world, dating back to as early as the 13th century. Even after Mr. Stacy's graduation from Ohio University, the event is continuing under Ohio University MTNA's new leadership.
Ohio University MTNA
During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Stacy was actively involved with the Ohio University Music Teachers' National Association (MTNA) collegiate chapter. His junior year, he served as the chapter's President. OU MTNA prioritizes community arts engagement, and in the past five years, they have twice been recognized with the National MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award.
Mr. Stacy's involvement with Ohio University MTNA outreach includes coordinating "Listen Up!" - an initiative designed to encourage young students to listen to more classical music (projectinspirare.org/listenup) - performing at non-traditional venues (public school, public library, etc.) as part of their interdisciplinary outreach, and presenting sessions and/or posters at the Ohio MTA State Conference, Collegiate Chapters Piano Pedagogy Symposium, MTNA National Conference, and National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy on community arts engagement subjects.
