How to go
What: Project Jericho LIFT Concert
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 5 p.m. next Thursday, May 28
Admission: No cost
More info: 937-328-3869 or go to www.project-jericho.com
Need a boost? LIFT may do that in song.
Project Jericho’s fifth annual My SONG program, LIFT, will bring the original music recordings of 12 youths to the Kuss Auditorium stage.
The free concert will be 5 p.m. next Thursday, May 28, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center. It’s about entertaining and fulfilling dreams.
For five years, Project Jericho members have been offered a chance to become recording artists. Participants must audition,and, if selected, sign a contract to commit themselves to the project.
Concert organizer Scott Dawson has continued to head the program he helped start. Dawson is a former Project Jericho outreach and education director now working for Clark State Community College.
“What I love about this is a lot of these young people face many challenges and can’t always use their talents. A lot are struggling, but when they perform a different side will come out and shine,” he said.
The participants came up with the theme LIFT. It’s about lifting others in gratitude or with a message of hope, working together as a team.
The participants worked with Michael Kelsey, a professional guitarist, to write, record and perform their own original songs in genres including pop, rhythm and blues, country, rap and hip-hop.
“They bring all their different musical flavors to the table, just like our youth are diverse,” said Dawson.
First-time songwriter Darrian Russell admits to challenges in his life. Having this outlet keeps the 18-year-old, who graduates high school next week, on the right path.
“I’ve had a rough past. Even though the times get hard I never give up,” said Russell, who said he wants to go to college and learn to become a music producer.
His song, performed with his foster brother, will include rapping and singing, and Russell said he wants his music to inspire others.
Though he’s played for a crowd of around 100, playing the 1,500-seat Kuss Auditorium will be “crazy.”
“I’ve dreamed of this but never thought I’d get here. You just need to believe in yourself, take the time to practice and work as hard as you can. I’d encourage everybody to do this.”
Dawson said there's an album's worth of material, and those who can't attend the concert can still hear some of the music available for free download from www.CDBaby.com. Music from previous Project Jericho My SONG sessions is also available.
A CD of the songs will also be available on iTunes, Dawson said, with any profits earned going back to Project Jericho for future projects.
“It’s really incredible music performed at a high level right where the Symphony performs,” said Dawson. “There’s an energy rising above their circumstances to express themselves. It has to be seen and heard rather than talked about.”
Other Project Jericho performance ensembles will also play including Jericho Voices, TrebleMakerz, Bucket Band, Xclusive Dance Crew, Jericho Hip Hop, and Jericho Jazz.
The performance will be followed by an ice cream social on the Performing Arts Center lawn. Everyone is invited to attend.
Project Jericho is a collaborative program of the Clark State Performing Arts Center and the Clark County Department of Job & Family Services with additional funding provided by the Ohio Arts Council and The Turner Foundation.
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