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October 8, 2024 | Upper Arlington High School
On October 8, 2024, with the generous support of the Upper Arlington Education Foundation and its donors, Upper Arlington High School (UAHS) proudly welcomed composer Melissa Dunphy. Dunphy was commissioned to write an original composition that will be premiered tonight by the Symphonic Choir (grades 11/12). The funding for this composition came from a grant from the Columbus Symphony, UA Vocal Music Boosters, and the UA Vocal Music Activity Fund. This grant significantly impacted the entire Vocal Music program, which includes 185 students, especially the 96 members of the Concert Choir (grades 9/10) and the 53 members of the Symphonic Choir (grades 11/12).
The Story Behind the Grant
The Choir commissioned Melissa Dunphy to create an original piece for their Symphonic Choir. It was essential for her to visit UAHS before the concert, allowing her to work closely with the students on her composition. Thanks to the UA+Ed Foundation, Melissa spent two days at the high school prior to the performance, coaching students and sharing her insights on her work, including another piece for the Concert Choir.
"I didn’t have a mentor as a young musician, and I feel fortunate to have found my path in this profession. I want to be a mentor for these students. It’s vital for them to know that composers are not all from 1800s Germany. It’s an accessible and joyful career path." - Melissa Dunphy
The Lasting Impressions
Having Melissa Dunphy on-site gave students a unique glimpse into the creative process of composition. She guided them through the intricacies of crafting a song—from the written poem to the melodies and emotions it evokes. Seated at the piano, Melissa articulated the theories behind the notes, enriching students’ understanding of her piece and the art of musical expression.
Marti and her husband Ned Timmons, graduates of UAHS’s class of 1964, have established The Timmons Family Vocal Music Fund at the Upper Arlington Education Foundation. With support from family members and friends, this fund has become endowed. It provides funding each year to support the arts in our schools, specifically performing arts in vocal music and musical theatre productions at UAHS.
"The Fall concert on October 8 showed the talent of UAHS students of many levels and the dedication, inspiration, hard work, and coordination of Dr. Brenden Moss, Dr. David Monseur, and Mrs. Amy Leacock to produce such an excellent and varied program in less than two months into the school calendar. It was an honor to be included in assisting in a small way to bring composer, Melissa Dunphy and poet, Mark A. Boyle to Upper Arlington," said Marti.
Born in Australia and raised in an immigrant family, Melissa Dunphy herself immigrated to the United States in 2003 and has since become an award-winning and acclaimed composer specializing in vocal, political, and theatrical music. She first came to national attention when her large-scale work the Gonzales Cantata was featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, National Review, and on Fox News and The Rachel Maddow Show, where host Rachel Maddow described it as "the coolest thing you've ever seen on this show”.
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides access to meaningful opportunities for students that are beyond the budget of the Upper Arlington School District. Established in 1985, UA+Ed is permanently structured to fund programs and projects today and for generations to come. The Upper Arlington Alumni Association is an important part of the foundation and keeps graduates connected, engaged, and motivated to pay it forward.
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