Carmel Spotlight on PorchFest will be held on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Allied Solutions Center for Performing Arts as a charity event to support local musicians through the PorchFest Grant Program. The program allows students from ages 6-18 who volunteer at least four hours at any PorchFest event to be eligible for a grant, with requests peaking at $2,500. Popular bands from the annual festival will give live performances using the homes in the Arts & Design District as temporary stages. Guests will walk from house to house and experience free live music, as well as community booths according to Visit Hamilton County Indiana. 

For musician and junior Josie Robinson, events such as Spotlight on PorchFest not only give musicians a chance to promote their craft, but also create beautiful experiences for attendees. 

She said, “I remember last year when Jazz One played in the Commons and the whole school stopped to listen. I wasn’t even performing, but that was really meaningful to me because people who would never have cared otherwise took time out of their day to listen to some really beautiful music.

Last year I also saw one of my favorite artists live, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was my first live concert for someone that I actually cared about, and I had gone through so many emotions that I would never have been able to go through if I wasn’t there.” 

Freshman and flautist Phoebe Bishop said that watching performances from other students inspired her. 

In person, hearing our band directors and our teachers perform, and even hearing other students perform really just inspires me to be better than I am.

Spotlight on PorchFest also offers student musicians the opportunity to perform in front of an engaging crowd.

Bishop said that encouragement from peers was a big motivation for her. 

She said, “People rooting for you just inspires you to just do more of what you want to do. I mean, definitely teachers (are helpful), just as you learn to play your instrument and learn to love something like that. In my own house and in the community, music is just a big deal here. We have so many choices and opportunities to pursue music because we live where we do.” 

Robinson furthered, “Playing in front of a live crowd definitely makes music more meaningful. Having the courage to play for people is something you have to work up to. I’m still working on being able to be confident when I’m playing in front of people, but, I think it helps to play in front of people in other aspects of your life to just be more confident in yourself. I’ve become more confident by even just saying what I believe and not being embarrassed to be who I am.” 

According to Two Story Melody, professional musicians tend to make below average salary in today’s world, and the majority require a second job to keep afloat. Some estimates even conclude that musicians on average as little as $12,000 from music activities annually. Live performances or gigs at events can be a valuable source of income, and charity events such as Spotlight on Porchfest become incredibly crucial. 

Robinson said, “(Spotlight on PorchFest) gives smaller musicians an opportunity to build up a following, especially if they’re doing a solo or in a small indie band or something. It gives them the opportunity to be seen and make a living out of their dream.”

Melinda Stephan, college and career programming coordinator, said,”The fact that the relationship that we do have with the Palladium and the opportunity for our students to go play in this awesome venue, all of the things, so the competition choirs, ISSM, all of these things that add to what the classroom experience could not prepare for. Students can use performance to decide whether or not they want to go on and do this as a career or not. I think (live performances) are invaluable.

To me, any kind of experience in your chosen field is important. If this is how our students are going to build that resume, their performance resume, but even more than the stuff that you put on paper and put on a college application, it’s just the experience, it just moves you forward in your development and growth as a musician, as a future adult. I think the struggle is important. You learn through the struggle.”