By Tami Lange
Oberlin College and The Ohio State University may not meet on the athletic field, but musical groups from the two Ohio schools duked it out – a cappella -- at April 13s Wooster Jam at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
The result? A tie for the win.
Oberlins Obertones were way ahead on points, according to James Levin, who was instrumental in getting the event off the ground three years ago while still the director of the College of Woosters Center for Entrepreneurship. (OSUs) Buck That, however, delivered a knock-out on the last round.
The co-champs each received a $1,500 cash prize, courtesy of the J.M. Smucker Co., which sponsored the VoiceFest portion of the Jam. Judges for the contest, which featured a cappella groups from college throughout the state (including the College of Woosters Round of Monkeys), were Steven Daigle, artistic director of the Ohio Light Opera,; Lisa Wong, assistant professor of music at the College of Wooster; and Mike Chin, a blogger on all things a cappella.
It is the first year the Jam has squeezed its many visual and musical arts into one day, in one building (the fairgrounds Coliseum)and as a separate entity, rather than as a project of The College of Wooster. The Jam now handles its own fundraising and is run by its own Board of Directors, under the guidance of Levin, founding director of the Cleveland Public Theater and Clevelands IngenuityFest.
Even with the changes, there was plenty to see and hear – folk music, light opera, reggae, some stand-up comedy, poetry and even a ukulele.
In between VoiceFest runds, a silver-suited Sur Lawrence engaged in a little Prairie Home Companion- style entertainment, gently goading the audience in a sing-along or two.
In an adjacent area, visual artists offered everything from stained glass to unique pieces made from old album covers.
The Jam, and especially VoiceFest, seems to really resonate in this community, Levin said as he watched over the proceedings. It has to be embraced by the community to continue. To that end, he said, he is looking for volunteers and for community members who might be interested in serving on the boards. Its just a great avenue to promote art and culture in the community, blending tried and true artists with emerging talent.
Levin said hes willing to stay on and assist with the event, though he estimated hed made at least 40 trips from Cleveland to Wooster this year to provide that assistance.
Those interested in helping coordinate the Wooster Jam in 2014 are encouraged to e-mail Levin at james@levinventures.com
