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Beyond the Notes

The Heartbeat of Our Community: Why Open Mics Matter

As a music lover and a passionate advocate for local arts, I see firsthand the transformative power of music. But it is not just about stadium tours and chart-topping hits 😄; it is about the raw, unfiltered magic that happens right in our own backyard. That is why I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Tualatin Valley Artists 501(c)(3), the non-profit organization that operates Influence Music Hall. As a team of volunteers, we are dedicated to fostering Western Oregon’s finest Friday night open mic.

For years, our open mic has been more than just a stage. Our open mic is a vibrant hub, a place where stories are sung, poems are recited, and connections are forged. A cornerstone of our community, offering a unique space for expression, growth, and shared experience.

More Than Just a Show: The True Value of Community Music

You might think of an open mic as just a casual night out, a chance to hear a few tunes. But for many, it is so much more profound. Open mic is:

  • A Launchpad for Local Talent: How many artists got their start on a humble open mic stage? Ours is no different. We’ve seen shy beginners blossom into confident performers, honing their craft, finding their voice, and even launching their careers. It’s a low-pressure environment where aspiring musicians, poets, and storytellers can test new material, gain valuable stage experience, and receive supportive feedback.
  • A Sanctuary for Expression: Life can be tough, and sometimes the best way to process emotions is through art. Our open mic provides a safe and welcoming space for individuals to share their deepest thoughts, joys, and struggles through music, spoken word, or comedy. It is a powerful outlet for self-expression and a vital tool for mental well-being.
  • Building Bridges, One Song at a Time: In an increasingly fragmented world, our open mic acts as a powerful unifier. It brings together people from all walks of life – different ages, backgrounds, and perspectives – all sharing a common love for creativity. Barriers break down as audience members cheer on performers, and friendships are often sparked in the shared appreciation of a moving performance. It’s a genuine melting pot of our community’s diverse voices.
  • Fostering a Culture of Creativity: When you see someone bravely step onto a stage and share their art, it’s incredibly inspiring. Our open mic helps cultivate a vibrant local arts scene by encouraging creativity, collaboration, and mutual respect among artists and audiences alike. It reminds us that art isn’t just for a select few; it’s for everyone.
  • Affordable Entertainment for Everyone: In today’s economy, finding accessible and enriching entertainment can be a challenge. Our Friday night open mic offers a fantastic, low-cost option for a fun night out. It’s a place where families can gather, friends can connect, and individuals can simply enjoy the magic of live performance without breaking the bank.

The Power of “Us”: How Our Non-Profit Makes it Happen

Behind every strum of a guitar, every heartfelt lyric, and every round of applause at our open mic, there is a dedicated team of volunteers working tirelessly. We handle everything from securing the venue and sound equipment to promoting events and ensuring a safe, inclusive environment for everyone. Our mission is to keep this vital community resource thriving, accessible, and free for all participants and attendees.

However, operating a program that makes a real difference in people’s lives does not come without costs. We rely entirely on the generosity of those who believe in the power of community music as much as we do. This is where donations, grants, and strategic partnerships come into play.

  • Individual Donations: Every dollar makes a tangible difference. Your contribution helps us cover operational expenses, maintain our equipment, and even explore opportunities to expand our reach, perhaps by offering workshops or special events. Think of your donation as an investment in the cultural richness and emotional well-being of our community.
  • Grants for Growth: We actively seek grants from foundations and organizations that share our vision for a more vibrant and connected community. These contributions allow us to make significant improvements, whether it’s upgrading our sound system, supporting partnerships such as Rhythm and Autism, or expanding our marketing efforts to reach even more aspiring artists.
  • Community Partnerships: We believe in the power of collaboration. We actively seek partnerships with local businesses, schools, and other community organizations. At Influence Music Hall we are especially proud of our partnership with the Cultural Arts District of the City of Hillsboro and the Hillsboro Art Walk. Our partnership with Andee Joyce and her Rhythm and Autism project puts us at the forefront of neurodiversity awareness in an inclusive community.

Join Our Chorus!

Our Friday night open mic is a place where magic happens, where connections are forged, and where the universal language of music brings us all a little closer.

We invite you to be a part of this incredible journey. Whether you are an aspiring artist, a loyal audience member, or a community leader looking to make a lasting impact, there is a place for you in our chorus. Let’s keep the music playing, the stories flowing, and our community thriving, one open mic night at a time.

William Siebold

Board of Directors | Director of Technology

Tualatin Valley Artists 501(c)(3) and Influence Music Hall

Many years ago I attended a concert at Red Rocks amphitheater, in Morrison, Colorado. It was a memorial concert for a composer named Steve Goodman. An all-star lineup sequenced through the day. At sunset Arlo Guthrie, center stage, sat at a grand piano. With the sun dropping behind the mountains behind us, the stage lights coming up in purple and green and soft blue, he launched into the classic City of New Orleans. It was a moment. Seven thousand strong, the crowd sang along with the chorus. It was a gentle scene. Compassionate and moving.

It was a magical feeling, revealing a profound truth: music is powerful medicine for the soul.

In a world that often feels fractured by social, economic, and political stress, we often search for ways to mend, both as individuals and as communities. We look for solace, for understanding, for a way to bridge the divides that separate us. More and more, we’re rediscovering that the remedy isn’t in a prescription bottle, but in a shared melody, a collective rhythm, a community choir. Music, in its purest form, is a tool for healing. It helps us process the wounds we carry alone and weaves us back into the fabric of a community when we need it most.

The Personal Anthem: Giving Voice to Unspoken Pain

Before music can heal a community, it often begins its work with the individual. For those who have experienced deep emotional trauma, words can fail. The feelings are too big, too complex, too painful to articulate. This is where music steps in, offering a language beyond vocabulary.

Music therapy shows that the simple act of playing an instrument, analyzing lyrics, or even just listening to a song can create a safe space for expression. It allows individuals to process their experiences without having to speak them aloud. Think of songwriting as a way to rewrite a painful narrative, giving the author a sense of control and empowerment over their own story. Or picture a drum circle, where a person can physically release pent-up anxiety and stress, finding relief in the steady, grounding rhythm.

Listening to and creating music can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and release a flood of positive neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, which are associated with pleasure, bonding, and trust. It is a gentle, accessible way to calm the nervous system and find an emotional boost when it’s needed most. For a person navigating the isolating landscape of trauma, music becomes a compassionate friend, reminding them it’s okay to feel what they’re feeling and that healing is possible.

The Communal Heartbeat: Weaving a Tapestry of Togetherness

While music’s power to heal the individual is profound, its magic truly multiplies when shared. In times of collective hardship—be it a natural disaster, economic downturn, or a global pandemic—the feeling of isolation can be one of the most damaging side effects. Community music cuts through that loneliness, reminding us of our shared humanity.

Think of a community choir. It’s more than just a group of people singing together; it lives and breathes as one body. As voices blend in harmony, something incredible happens. People begin to synchronize their breathing and even their heartbeats, creating a powerful, unspoken sense of unity. This shared experience cuts across social barriers, forging bonds between strangers much faster than other activities. It fosters empathy, as the act of listening to and harmonizing with others requires us to be attuned to them.

This is why, during the darkest days of the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, people in Italy sang from their balconies. It wasn’t a performance; it was a declaration of solidarity. It was a way to say, “I’m here, you’re there, but we are still in this together.”

These moments of collective music-making build resilience. They create a supportive network where people feel seen and heard, transforming a group of individuals into a true community capable of weathering any storm. A choir practice or a neighborhood jam session becomes a sanctuary, a place where the burdens of the outside world can be set aside for a while, replaced by the simple joy of creating something beautiful together.

The Sound of Change: Music as a Unifying Force

The healing power of community music extends beyond personal and local crises into the broader realm of social and political trauma. Throughout history, when societies have faced injustice and division, music has been the soundtrack of resistance and the anthem of hope.

From the spirituals sung by enslaved people to find strength and communicate in code, to the protest songs that fueled the Civil Rights and anti-war movements, music has a unique ability to unite people under a common cause. Songs like "We Shall Overcome" did more than just express a sentiment; they created a sense of shared identity and purpose, giving people the courage to stand together against oppression.

This kind of music does two crucial things. First, it amplifies the voices of the marginalized, allowing their stories and struggles to be heard by a wider audience. Second, it fosters a powerful sense of solidarity. When people sing these songs together at a rally or a march, they are physically and emotionally embodying their collective strength. It’s a reminder that they are not alone in their fight. In this way, music helps communities process their collective anger and grief, transforming those powerful emotions not into destructive rage, but into a focused, unified call for change and healing.

The Enduring Harmony

Ultimately, the healing magic of music lies in its profound ability to connect. It connects us to the deepest parts of ourselves, allowing us to express emotions too complex for words. It connects us to the people around us, weaving individual threads of experience into a strong, resilient tapestry of community. And it connects us to a sense of shared purpose, inspiring us to work together for a more just and harmonious world.

So the next time you hear a local choir, see a drum circle in the park, or join in a singalong, remember that you’re witnessing more than just a performance. You are witnessing an act of healing. You are seeing a community being built, one note at a time. And in that shared sound, there is hope for us all.