Update: Walla Walla Music Organization

In my last article about becoming a part of Walla Walla Music Organization (WWMO), I quoted Director Rodney Outlaw saying, “When I enter my creative space, I am thinking about the signal flow of my actions.”

Here’s another recent quote: “At the end of every slice is a new transient.” If you understand what that means, you’re ahead of me. But I’m learning. On some deeply philosophical level the phrase resonates.

Life keeps shifting and evolving in sometimes swift and unexpected ways. WWMO teaches students the ins and outs of digital audio workstation (DAW) programming, live music production, and sound engineering. These are marketable skills. I am on staff as a keyboard instructor and music theory coach. Students attend group instruction and break out into lab work, which can include learning guitar and/or keyboard. They are given project assignments during 30-week courses broken into thirds.

This new space has become an environment for my own learning and growth. I have been performing, writing, arranging and teaching music, in one form or another, for 40 years. I am a neophyte again, and it feels good. What do they say? If you’re not growing, you’re already dead. I attend class, with other students of varying experience, to learn DAW and the characteristics of sound. I learn from every student I work with. WWMO is an enriching creative collaboration on every level. Students are interested in everything from classical to folk, rap to rock n’ roll, rhythm & blues to jazz – and other stuff you can’t easily stuff into a category.

WWMO is an intentional environment of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in line with our partnership at Walla Walla’s YMCA. Persons of different backgrounds, race, culture and interest add to the empowerment that music and creative exploration provide. We are part of strong youth development and growth.

We now have 12 students enrolled and six DAW lab stations set up in our space at the YMCA, which recently provided room for live music production sessions which are held on Fridays, 6:30-8:00 pm. Outside talent is being invited to come jam and give students practice at live sound mixing.

Mid-May will see outside talent coming in for community recording sessions, which will give students practice in mixing audio input.

We continue to seek funding for equipment that will allow us to expand our outreach into the Touchet Valley and Milton-Freewater. We want to be able to assist area organizations with quality recording and live music sessions.

Rock Camp will be held for two sessions this year, June 21-25 and June 28-July 2. WWMO will be the future director of Rock Camp, giving area youth music learning and performance opportunities.

Music is part of the healing we need in the world we live in. Stay tuned at wwmo.org and on our Facebook page for development news on programs and projects moving forward. And don’t be shy about supporting us with any amount of money by contacting Blue Mountain Action Council, our fund manager. One private donor is pitching in to help us get a new keyboard synthesizer for live music production class. Ask me if I’m excited about that.