OpporTUNEity Music Connections is proud to announce two new partnerships with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office (Greenfield, MA) and the Hampshire County Sheriffs Office (Northampton, MA). Established in January 2023, these new partnerships continue to generate funds to support OpporTUNEity's Songwriting Project within the jails and finance the expenses of the organization's partnership with the local schools.

Dr. Melissa Martiros (Founder & CEO/Director of Higher Ed Partnerships) and her team of five songwriting instructors/interns recently completed a successful first semester with the Franklin & Hampshire Sheriffs Offices. The video links to the inaugural concerts in each facility will be shared in our next newsletter.

Each institution provides a 12-week songwriting course that coincides with the academic semester. Each week, incarcerated persons collaborate with professional musicians and collegiate interns to co-write original songs, develop skills in music literacy, and learn musical instruments. The semesters culminates in a concert where students present their works to select friends and family.

The Songwriting Project provides inmates with the tools needed to process their experiences in a responsible, productive, and musical way. OpporTUNEity's songwriting team fosters a safe, engaging environment that encourages participation and group decision-making amongst the students.

In addition to improving the quality of life for the incarcerated adults, the 12-week courses also provide invaluable real-world experience for the collegiate interns studying music education, music therapy, and performance.

OpporTUNEity Media

December 2022 Concert

In partnership with the Worcester County House of Corrections.

All songs were co-written inside the jail as a collaborative effort between Worcester County House of Corrections inmates and OpporTUNEity instructors.

Copyright, OpporTUNEity Music Connections® 2022.

In Partnership with OpporTUNEity, the Central Massachusetts Summer Music Institute for High School Students is now accepting registrations for the fourth consecutive year. The organization is thrilled to host Guest Conductor, Rick DeJonge, and Guest Soloist, Harry Watters (pictured above).

This unique and enriching program is open to all high school band students (including rising 9th graders) of all levels. For one week, students will participate in rehearsals and masterclasses led by world-renowned musicians.

The week will culminate in a public performance (live-streamed for guests unable to attend in-person).

This year's program will be held at South High Community School in Worcester, MA from August 7-11, 2023.

Priority is given to students who register before May 31st, 2023. Please email Artistic Director Jeff Conner at worcestermusicinstitute@gmail.com with questions regarding the program.

Get Involved

If you are interested in learning more about OpporTUNEity, please reach out. We are always open to establishing new partnerships with higher education institutions, K-12 programs and schools, correctional institutions and jails, researchers, donors and volunteers.

OpporTUNEity Music Connections

OPPORTUNEITY AND THE OPPORTUNEITY LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF MELISSA S. MARTIROS @ 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.