SILER CITY, N.C. — Singer-songwriter Jordan Pickett will be the guest artist at “Sharing Our Musical Voices,” a free, public concert next week to conclude the JMArts songwriting workshop held this spring at Jordan-Matthews High School.
The “Sharing Our Musical Voices” outdoor concert is Wednesday, May 10, 6 p.m., at the Rotary Stage, next to The Chatham Rabbit and NC Arts Incubator in downtown Siler City. It also serves as the fourth and final session of the songwriting workshop taught by singer-songwriter Mark Dillon and funded by a grant from the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund.
Earlier workshop sessions introduced students to songwriting basics and techniques — including production methods and how to copyright original work — and provided individual advice to help them compose original songs. This finale concert features songwriting students presenting their original work.
Guest artist Jordan Pickett, a Silk Hope native, is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter specializing in country and Christian music. While music has always been part of his life, it wasn't until age 16 that he wrote his first song, opening his eyes to the true passion he had for music. About one year later, Pickett began to perform live music at local venues before gradually performing out of state.
After finding acclaim through the Carolina Country Music Association, he formed the Jordan Pickett Band, which made its debut performance at the CCMAs in January as Pickett was nominated for the CCMA’s 2022 Entertainer of the Year.
While student performances have not yet been confirmed, “Sharing Our Musical Voices” workshop participants included Delaney Clark, Sandra Lopez, Serena Pietri, Mitchell Rist, Clara Rojas, Maggie Thornton and Samantha Wieber.
Workshop instructor Mark Dillon, a former Jordan-Matthews teacher, was born into a musical family. His first memories are of sitting on Dolly Parton’s lap while watching his great-uncle Lloyd’s country radio show. After finishing a degree in music theory and then a master’s degree in guitar building, he started a business repairing guitars while playing music most nights in the Chicago area. Later, he became a high school music teacher and specialized in teaching popular music and recording.
Dillon went on to earn a master’s degree and Ph.D. in music education. He currently performs regularly, including with The Zinc Kings folk and string band, and teaches commercial music at Guilford Technical Community College and songwriting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund, which provided funding for “Sharing Our Musical Voices,” awards community grants to Chatham County not-for-profits, public schools and county government agencies to support food, shelter, education and community services projects.
Information about JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, including a schedule of all upcoming arts events and information on membership, is available at JMArts.org. More about the professional musicians participating in the workshop is available for Mark Dillon at markdillonmusic.com and for Jordan Pickett at jordanpickettmusic.com.
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Country musician Jordan Pickett is guest artist for “Sharing Our Musical Voices,” a free, public concert on May 10 in downtown Siler City that concludes the JMArts spring songwriting workshop. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Pickett)
Singer-songwriter Mark Dillon was instructor for “Sharing Our Musical Voices,” a free student songwriting workshop and public concert offered by JMArts and funded by the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund. (Photo courtesy of Mark Dillon)
Workshop instructor Mark Dillon, left, works with Samantha Wieber on the keyboard during an early session of this spring’s “Sharing Our Musical Voices” songwriting workshop, as Mitchell Rist, Serena Pietri and other participants look on. (Photo by Rose Pate)