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Popular Music Day

Saturday, October 17, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Glidden Hall

Staff contacts: Dr. Sean Parsons & Prof. Jessica Baldwin

Popular Music Day at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ is an immersive event for high school musicians who want to explore contemporary music-making in a collaborative, creative university setting. Participants will spend the day working with OU faculty and current students through hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, group rehearsal, live performance, Q&A, and an optional participant open mic.

Led by OU faculty including Dr. Sean Parsons and Prof. Jessica Baldwin, this event is designed for singers, instrumentalists, songwriters, producers, and artists interested in developing their sound, building real-world music skills, and learning more about the Popular Music program at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ.

Popular Music Day is ideal for students who sing, play guitar, piano/keys, bass, drums, or other band instruments, as well as students interested in live electronics, rap/spoken word, arranging, or artist development.

Whether students are already planning to study music in college or are just beginning to imagine what that path could look like, this event offers a meaningful opportunity to experience the energy, community, and creative possibilities of Popular Music at OHIO.

What students will experience

Students will spend the day making music, asking questions, and connecting with ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Popular Music faculty and students. Through workshops, breakouts, group rehearsal, performances, and an open mic, participants will explore what it means to develop their sound, collaborate with other musicians, and grow as artists in a university popular music program.

At Popular Music Day, students will have the opportunity to:

• Work with ºìÐÓÊÓƵ faculty, current students, and guest facilitators
• Explore groove, feel, arranging, songwriting, voice, musicianship, and artist development
• Break out into smaller sessions based on musical interests
• Rehearse a song as part of a collaborative group
• Learn how popular music ensembles make creative decisions together
• Hear ºìÐÓÊÓƵ students and faculty perform
• Ask questions about the Popular Music program, auditions, and college music study
• Meet current ºìÐÓÊÓƵ students
• Share their own music through the participant open mic
• Experience the community, creativity, and artist-centered approach of ºìÐÓÊÓƵ’s Popular Music program

Faculty Artists

Sean Parsons - jazz, piano, & music theory

Jessica Baldwin - voice & artist coaching

John Horne - guitar

Eli Chambers - bass & drums