By Lauren Sweitzer, courtesy of Kent News
Cory Pyon ’09 has been recognized as one of five Grand Prize Key Change Grant winners for the community service proposal he entered on behalf of his club, Melody 4 Community. Cory was selected from a pool of over 100 qualified applicants from across the country that entered the www.dosomething.org sponsored project. His project was selected by an all-star judging panel which included the multi-Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and Paul Caine, President and Group Publish of Time Inc.’s Style and Entertainment Group. Cory will receive a $3,000 grant and an all-expense paid trip to the Grammy Awards this year for his outstanding community service project idea.
Melody 4 Community organizes benefit concerts, karaoke nights, and other musical events to donate money to orphanages, retirement homes and other charity organizations. Club members want to spread the joy of music to those who may not be able to afford instruments and lessons. The club already has 30 members and has quickly received the attention of the entire school. Many of these club members will be attending the Grammy Awards.
Cory found out about the organization's Key Change Grant competition through a Kent parent's recommendation. Kent faculty member Karen Moreno of the English department helped Cory get in contact with The Mekele School for the Blind in Ethiopia through her friend, Mrs. Hanley, who collects donations for this school. Cory found that this school was in terrible need of help, and the children that go to Mekele are in dire need of a better environment. The school barely has enough money or support for food and other basic necessities.
Cory decided to raise money and send used instruments down to Mekele. He realized that Mekele’s musical culture was very strong despite its lack of instruments. “They would easily dance, make drums, sing with grass, play ocarinas, or pat on the ground for a good beat. I see music as their way of dealing with their hardships and making their lives easier,” he says. By giving these children the tools to learn and appreciate music, Cory hopes that a better music program will enhance their lives and direct them towards a better and brighter future. “It is hard enough to be blind, but living in an extremely poor community, too, is really hard to deal with. I know I have been given many great opportunities in my life, so I think it is time to give others what I am proud of. My passion has always been music.”
Cory wishes over time to expand and facilitate the music department at Mekele by donating even more instruments and setting up music theory/appreciation classes. “Music gave me happiness and has changed my life. I believe it is more powerful than that, and I can take my music to the next level by educating and helping these children. Some might not be able to see, but all of them can hear and listen to the great art of music.”
