CCM Classical Guitar student gives couch concert of pop, jazz and musical theatre hits

For his couch concert, Jackson chose fun songs to distract from the dark mood that has been cast across 2020 due to the pandemic. He first connected with Distilled Theatre Company when he was called for a musical many years ago, and then he worked on several shows for the company and became good friends with the directors, Jessica Greene and Wesley Nelson. They asked Jackson to perform for the organization's couch concert series and allowed him to pick the music with one stipulation — one song needed to be from a musical.

"So I decided to do two light and fun pop songs, a tune by the great Chick Corea, and for the musical number, the Overture from Jesus Christ Superstar," Jackson says. "All the arrangements are my own, and it was really fun to put it all together to create something unique and yet instantly recognizable."

Guitarists don't have a traditional place in the orchestra, so they must develop a wide skill set in many styles in order to be ready for all circumstances, Wilke says. The CCM Classical Guitar program doesn't neglect the past, but it also acknowledges the present. "Our ultimate goal is to prepare true musicians for a professional career in the 21st century," Wilke adds.

Jackson enrolled in the master's program at CCM after teaching private lessons and performing for the past five years. He was a bit apprehensive about returning to school, but that dissipated after he met Christopher Wilke and former CCM Classical Guitar Director Clare Callahan, he says.

"I have grown so much in the past year, not only on the instrument itself, but also in my knowledge of its history and pedagogical resources," Jackson adds. "I have immensely enjoyed my time here, and honestly am a little saddened by the thought of it ending upon my graduation in the spring."