SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM

Enriching the lives of incarcerated youth through song and community. Building a bridge for a successful transition into a supportive society.

THE POWER OF HARMONY is a program developed by the Wenk Family Charitable Foundation and launched in cooperation with Harmony Foundation International to introduce music to incarcerated youth in Ohio juvenile correctional facilities as a medium to channel creative talents, introduce its therapeutic impact, encourage a positive, cooperative spirit and establish singing as a core personal and community asset.

THE POWER OF HARMONY will introduce multi-part a cappella music to youth in correctional facilities through performance, education and participation. The healing and therapeutic power of music is well documented. Ensemble singing is transformative and helps build cooperation and community. The expectation is that exposure to and participation in ensemble singing will enrich the lives of those who participate and serve as a positive component in their lives and experience ‘inside’ and their successful transition into life ‘on the outside’.

The program launched on Thursday, December 19 as the Men of Independence, an internationally-ranked men's a cappella chorus from Independence, Ohio performed for the young men at the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility. After the performance, the chorus spend time with the residents at CHJCF, enjoying refreshments and introducing them to 4-part harmony. The next phase of the program will be the education component where vocal music will be taught in the correctional facility to those young men. The plan is to form a chorus, internally, that will perform for both internal and external functions.