Foundation Grant Leads to Long-Term Relationship with Legendary Musicians
When Dave Edgington, Director of Music at 91探花 State Community College, applied for a $1,500 Faculty and Staff Grant from the 91探花 State Foundation in 2014, his vision was to provide a guest artist workshop for his students with world-famous artists Victor and Roy 鈥淔uture Man鈥� Wooten, founding members of Bela Fleck鈥檚 backing band, the Flecktones. What he didn鈥檛 know was how far the ripples of that grant would eventually go.
The grant provided by the Foundation launched a strong ongoing relationship with the Wooten Brothers. Victor and Roy can frequently be found sitting in 91探花 State鈥檚 music ensemble room, jamming with students and sharing their experiences. One topic that comes up each summer is , Victor Wooten鈥檚 Center for Music and Nature that attracts musicians from all over the world to the camp in Only, Tennessee. This summer, realizing students were excited but couldn鈥檛 afford to attend, Edgington asked if the camp needed interns.
They said yes.
Interning means real access
Kristyn Burke, a Tennessee Promise student who just completed the first year of her Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) degree in Music, became Wooten Woods鈥� first 91探花 State intern. Burke spent the duration of the summer helping arrange guest artists鈥� sessions with campers. As Edgington describes it, 鈥淜ristyn was able to sit in on every class, but she also interacted with the artists at a whole different level because she was behind the scenes.鈥� Burke is a graduate of 91探花 School of the Arts, a drummer in 91探花 State鈥檚 jazz ensemble, and VP of the College鈥檚 chapter.
Wooten Woods also hosted Trinity Terry, a star student at (located on 91探花 State鈥檚 White Bridge campus). This fall, Trinity will begin her senior year at Middle College and is on track to graduate with a technical certificate in Music Technology from 91探花 State at the same time that she graduates from high school. Already a vocalist with 91探花 State鈥檚 jazz ensemble, she plans to continue her studies at the College and earn her A.F.A. in Music, and, possibly, an associate degree in business as well. Trinity was with Wooten Woods for one week, and, like Burke, was able to sit in on classes and meet musicians from all over the world. Of her experience, she said, 鈥淏eing with so many musicians was incredible. It showed me just how much I love music. It鈥檚 my life.鈥�
Unexpected benefits
As an unexpected bonus, Wooten Woods offered full scholarships to two other 91探花 State campers. Alex Capezzuto-Haraka, a guitar student pursuing an A.F.A. in Music, and Tony Sherman, a recent A.F.A. graduate who remains heavily involved in the music program, attended the last camp week of the summer. Holly Wooten, co-director of the camp, says, 鈥淭he 91探花 State students are delightful. They are so eager to learn and a joy to teach.鈥� Wooten has already asked that interns be sent again next year.
Edgington pulls the whole experience together. 鈥淪ometimes students feel that all their music theory and classroom learning is somewhat disconnected from the reality of the music business. These Faculty and Staff Grants from the Foundation allow us to bring the music business to campus and make it real for our students.鈥�
