Service
Service plays an essential role in Spencer’s life, integrated in his education, research, and free time. By supporting his community and even those far away, Spencer believes he can better meet his mission to not only better the lives of the next generation, but provide them the tools to make even greater positive change.
Music Service Learning
Music Service Learning (MSL) has become an integral part of Spencer’s life. Holding a seat of the executive board and Interdisciplinary Advisor, Spencer works with MSL to provide collegiate students with meaningful experiences to support their music education studies, therefore providing even greater opportunities for their students. One of Spencer’s personally led projects through MSL was a Songwriting Program, providing middle and high school students a space to create music virtually and hear from bands and artists in the industry. Watch the promo to the left to learn more about it.
Click here for a more in depth look at Spencer’s role with MSL and research.
A video advertisement Spencer created for the Virtual Songwriting Camp he directed through Music Service Learning.
An article written my Soundtrap, owned by Spotify, a collaborative web-based digital audio workstation, who collaborated with Spencer for MSL’s Virtual Songwriting Camp.
Honors College and South Africa
The West Chester University’s Honors College, heavily described in the education section, is led my the motto “to be honorable is to serve”. As a replacement curriculum for gen eds for participating students, Honors heavily roots their classes in the studies of South Africa, analyzing their history and Apartheid to discuss community, leadership, rhetoric and service. In addition to their annual event Aid To South Africa, Honors students travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa to directly provide service where their raised funds go. Spencer traveled as an Honors Ambassador in 2018 to provide service at the H.E.L.P. Ministries Soup Kitchen, Nkosi’s Haven, and Mosaic to help reduce hunger, provide comfort to AIDS victims and continue spreading the word about the poverty and HIV/AIDS epidemic present in the country.
Spencer especially bonded with students in classrooms as pictured above, and was supported by his grandmother who made over 50 scarves for mothers with HIV/AIDS pictured below. Spencer was most touched by his research at the Butterfly House where he interviewed local teenagers about how their community can support them and their aspirations. Regardless of economic standing, gender, and race, Spencer clearly saw passion behind many young students’ eyes, reminding him the importance of not only access to knowledge and education, but support and safety. He continues his support of Aid to South Africa, with hopes to collaborate the organization with MSL and return to South Africa after the pandemic subsides.
Rams Songwriting - WCU Capstone
About two decades ago, the YMCA in West Chester, PA was on the brink of shutting down with dire need for funding. A staple in the community, this would lead to many students without a place to go after school and other resources to support the West Chester families. Philanthropist Oscar Lasko financially supported the YMCA, keeping its doors open to this very day. That being said, some programs still did not have enough funding, including the music program. When Spencer visited the Oscar Lasko YMCA in 2018, he interviewed the students, asking them how many participated in music in their schools. The answer was close to none. Identifying the need, Spencer started a music program there, creating an outlet of creativity for the students of the area. Recognized in 2019 as “Volunteer of the Year - Youth Development” by the YMCA, Spencer was grateful to see the positive impact, using what he learned from the YMCA to continue bringing music to students through Music Service Learning.
Your Voice Benefit Concert
In 2018, Spencer alongside Under A Rest (UAR) founded the Your Voice Benefit concert, nicknamed “YOVO”, benefitting the Dreaming Zebra Foundation. Dreaming Zebra provides children from across the world music and art supplies. As an a cappella invitational, UAR has hosted collegiate and high school groups from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware to perform. Each year, UAR collaborates with the WCU Dance Team in bringing their shows to life by integrating the visual arts into their performances. After two years of putting on the event in Asplundh Hall at WCUPA and another in store come April 2020, YOVO has become an annual celebration of music and arts, all for a great cause.
Click here to view Spencer’s audio/video production from YOVO.
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