PREF’s Community
Services Director, Mrs. Judy Helms, (in red) poses with twenty of the
twenty-two residents currently enrolled in the PREF music program.This program offers guitar, bass guitar, drum, and keyboard
instruction opportunities for PREF residents. Formal
instruction and practice sessions are supervised by Bob Groves on
Wednesday afternoons, Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings each
week.Each session lasts
one to two hours and, on average is attended by nine to twelve
residents.This varying
session scheduling allows participants to attend other programs such
as substance abuse, vocation counseling, education, etc., and still
make at least one music session per week.
The
program requires participants to learn and then help newly arriving
beginning students. It
is impressive when someone who had no background in music can, in less
than 90 days teach newcomers about their instrument including; care
and maintenance, tuning, basic music, and several chord shapes This is
a testament to the program as well as to the resident instructors who
are available for additional tutoring during informal practice
sessions allowed by Mrs. Helms.Since
PREF is a “release” facility the turnover of participants being
released and new arrivals joining the program is pretty constant.
Fortunately, the program is also blessed with a few residents who are
already proficient musicians. So far, about one in ten of the
residents who join the program are experienced musicians capable of
teaching one or more of the available instruments. It is this synergy
that is making the program improve and grow.
Recently the Guitar
Center Music Foundation ® provided a grant that allowed the program
to acquire approximately $3,000 worth of quality musical instruments
and equipment.This has
been a huge shot in the arm for the program.Excellent equipment means better, more rewarding practice
times, which translates into accelerated skill development and much
better sounding music. Four new members joined immediately after
seeing the new equipment!
While the grant was a huge boost to the program, more
equipment is needed, especially during this period of growth in the
number of residents.We
are always in need of guitars, amps, music stands, instrument racks,
and miscellaneous supplies.Anyone wanting to contribute to this program should call Mrs.
Helms at (317) 839-7752 Ex 4416 or send her an email at jehelms@doc.in.govDonations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
Volunteer Bob Groves encourages residents Stephen
Coomer, Tim Burdine, Corey Settle, and Tim Graham who have been in
the program since it began last summer.
As this picture shows, the program is
now in possession of some fine, name brand instruments and equipment
thanks to the Guitar Center Music Foundation and DW Drums.
Singer Jeremiah Maxey, age 23, sings in this reggae
group accompanied by Joseph Briscoe, age 27, on keyboard, and
Brenton Jordon, aged 36, on drums.
Resident Andre’ Gaston, age 37, is the newest
participant. An accomplished keyboard player he came to the program
with 300 hours of music study at other facilities. Good keyboard
instructors who actually know music are a welcome asset to the
program.
This group gets together to play a wide
variety of tunes including the Eagles, CCR, and even some Johnny
Cash. However, their rendition of Folsom Prison Blues currently
sounds like an Eagles rendition…we are working on a better
understanding of musical “feels” and genres.
Ray Hovinen, age 23, is typical of many
young offenders who find the music program a welcome addition to
other programs such as substance abuse, anger management.
Ron Harter, aka “Big H”, age 42,
really does not play guitar, but he is one of the lead singers and
is attempting to force the keyboard into submission. ☺
This group sings and plays tunes that
“old man Groves” has never heard of. As long as they are in
pitch and time, that’s OK with Bob.
Nick Sutton, age 28, kneeling at left,
is a lead guitarist that plays a right-handed guitar upside down.
Tim Graham kneeling next to Nick is an instructor in all the
instruments.
Zachary Patton, age 26, is a rocker and
is holding the only electric guitar we had before the GCMF grant. It
came from a pawn shop for $50, but with a lot of distortion you
couldn’t tell the neck was warped!
Newcomer Freddie Harrison, age 42,
signed up for all the instruments, plus he plays harmonica, which
means he will fit right into our blues group for sure. His first
choice is playing the new DW Drums set of drums.
The upbeat attitude of the music group
participants is amazing. Some have been incarcerated for over 20
years and are working hard to prepare themselves for release in the
next few months. In this picture three, (Stephen Coomer, Corey
Settle, and Tim Graham) received bachelor’s degrees during their
incarceration.
Resident Cory Settle, age 23, (on the
right), earned a bachelors degree while in prison and is an example
of a quick learner. He is now teaching guitar basics to other
newcomers including Ray Hovinen, also 23 years old.
As a group, they are supportive and help
each other learn. Resident instructor Tim Graham, age 41, (left)
earned a bachelors degree while incarcerated and also plays several
instruments. He willingly provides copious amounts of time helping
other residents like bassist 21 year old Cole Proctor, learn and
improve their musical skills.
Two “veterans”, Tim Burdine and
Stephen Coomer team up to teach chromatic scales to two newbies.
Encouragement or horseplay? Sometimes it
is hard to tell the difference…but, sessions are never dull!
Resident Michael Jordon, age 29, (no
relation to the basketball player), brings keyboard skills and a
strong baritone singing voice to the program. His winning smile
shows how much the new GCMF donated Casio 88 key electronic piano is
appreciated!
