An original piece of music –
just for Jack!
Jack has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, one of the worst forms of muscular dystrophy.
We want to give Jack the gift of music. An original piece, written and performed just for Jack. Jack needs this, and we hope it will bring him much joy.
Chase the Music, a 501c3 non-profit, helps children battling critical conditions, by having original music composed and performed for them, is working to provide a piece for Jack. This gift of music will be written and performed just for him.
Jack isn’t one to be satisfied sitting on the sidelines for his gift. He’ll be in one of the performers in it!
About Jack
When Jack was a toddler, doctors diagnosed him with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by muscle degeneration and weakness that is typically found in young boys. It’s a progressive, incurable, lethal condition.
His genetic disorder put him into a wheelchair at the age of 14. That doesn’t seem to have slowed him down though.
Jack is a Colorado kid. He loves many outdoor sports and activities and his loving family makes adjustments so that he can participate. Jack is very social. So much so, it was almost impossible to find pictures of just him. Every picture available has smiling friends, family, bandmates surrounding him.
He’s an active member of the high-school bands, including the Standley Lake Gator Pride Marching Band!
Garret Hope – composer
Garrett Hope is the composer that has been selected for Jack’s piece. Garrett was born into a family that valued and practiced music daily. His mother was a primary school music teacher and children’s choir director. As a result, Garrett has been performing on stages of various sizes and in front many different audiences since he was a toddler. Garrett studied piano, clarinet, guitar, and bass as he was growing up. Though he tinkered with sequencing and song writing it wasn’t until he began studying composition at college and mentoring other students that he found his musical passions—composition and teaching.
Primarily, Garrett loves writing music that engages students and provides meaningful and life-changing musical experiences—the kind of experiences he encountered as a student. As a guest conductor and clinician, he visits schools and ensembles across the country helping teachers and ensemble directors meet their classroom goals.
When Garrett is not composing (he also scores films), he teaches composers about the business end of writing music through his platform and podcast The Portfolio Composer, he tunes pianos, and he continues to teach theory and the history of rock and roll at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
He says, “I cannot do what I do by myself. Sounds crazy, right? But it is absolutely true. I believe music is incredibly powerful and can help change and heal the world. Yet no matter how much I hold that belief to be true the creation and performance of music requires people to fill various roles. Commonly people identify three roles: composer, performer, and audience. There is also a fourth role that is vital to the creation of new music, and that is the role of the patron.”
Donate today, and be a patron of this music for Jack.
Learn more about Garrett and listen to his music.
Standley Lake High School (SLHS) Band
SLHS Mission Statement
SLHS is a comprehensive high school dedicated to academic excellence, inspiring lifelong learners prepared to engage the world with empathy and pride.SLHS Vision Statement
The SLHS community collaborates to create a growth mindset by establishing purposeful connections with all students, providing them diverse pathways to be future-ready, in a safe and welcoming environment. This collaboration between Standley Lake HS, Chase the Music and Garrett Hope is a perfect example how they are living up to their driving purpose.
Director of bands Crissy Duran has put together a music program that brings all members of the band together in a positive and loving manner. Using music as a conduit, her students follow her leadership in developing as great people.
The Chase the Music composition for Jack will be premiered twice! First at the band trip to Disney World in Orlando Florida, and second at the spring concert of the Standley Lake HS band, in Westminster, Colorado. In this way, everyone can be part of the energy of Jacks piece. Contact us if you are interested in attending
The Music will be available after the premieres, both recordings, and printed scores. Contact us for details.
Chase the Music…
Chase the Music, a 501c3 non-profit helps children battling critical conditions, by having original music composed and performed for them. After a presentation to group of Colorado music honor students, Chase the Music was approached by students of SLHS. Led by Jack’s neighbor and good friend – Adi (Adriana) stated “You have to meet Mrs. Duran. We have to do a piece for our friend Jack!” This small group was so passionate, driven and caring about their schoolmate. I knew we had to do this. This led to an initial meeting of students, teacher, parents and of course Jack at a local coffee-house.
To learn more about Chase the Music – click!