Griffin Hart Woodard
Name
Griffin Hart Woodard
Degree
Bachelor of Music
Major
Jazz Studies
Concentration
Jazz Composition
Hometown
About Me
I am graduating from Oberlin Conservatory a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies with a Composition Concentration. At Oberlin, my knowledge of the theoretical and spiritual dimensions of music increased exponentially with the guidance of such mentors as Gary Bartz, Jay Ashby, Dan Wall, and Meeko Israel, just to name a few. I became thoroughly entrenched in the Oberlin community and served as Vice President of Oberlin Jazz Society, Music Director & Pianist at Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship, and Arranger & Clarinetist for the Oberlin Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco and undertook service projects in the Bay Area in January 2020. I feel extraordinarily grateful to be a part of the Oberlin community. I know the friends and mentors I have met here will be lifelong sources of inspiration and support.
Study Abroad
I did not. I stayed in the corn patch.
Campus Jobs
Community Relations Intern at YBCD/Office of the Ombudsperson
Favorite Place
Wendell Logan Lounge, of course! The meeting place for every precious moment of jazz department procrastination and small talk.
Favorite Class
My favorite class would probably have to be Jazz Improvisation I & II with Jay Ashby. Each week, we had to transcribe a solo from the legendary jazz musicians of the past. I feel I improved most as a musician by learning their incredible musical contributions note for note.
Clubs & Organizations
Capoeira Angola
Christian Fellowship
Oberlin Jazz Society
YBCD (Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue)
Notable Quote
Give Thanks, always and for all things, the good and the bad, because it is either a lesson, a blessing, or both. This is a paraphrase from a very important Oberlin mentor of mine, Meeko Israel.
Memorable Oberlin Moment
Performing Give Thanks (Dedicated to Meeko Israel) at the Hugh Kline/Griffin Woodard junior recital on April 20, 2019.
Graduation Date
05/25/2020
Future Plans
Go to Grad School and work as a musician.
Citation
“Griffin Hart Woodard,” OC2020, accessed March 29, 2024, https://www.oc2020.oberlincollegelibrary.org/items/show/373.