What started as a school project in a Papillion Middle School English class has now become not one but two songs in Opera Omaha’s Poetry & Music Project. Jackson Ward, then an eighth grader, had his poem, “Omaha’s Embrace," transformed into an opera song and a hip-hop rendition.
“I wrote it in school about people in Omaha,” says Ward. “They have different backgrounds, but we can come together and be unified.”
The idea was to break stereotypes, both of people and place. “We can come together no matter who we are,” he says, noting Omaha Metropolitan's diversity, another part of the city he wanted to highlight. “We’re not just farmland, and we know how to build community.”
He was first told about the project by his English teacher, Caitlyn Hanes, as well as Dr. Jen Schneider, a High Ability Learning facilitator with the Papillion-La Vista Community Schools. Running with the idea, Ward says he submitted his poem. Typically, a composer from each musical style—opera and hip-hop—selects different poems, but for the first time in eight years, both composers chose the same poem.
“I’m not somebody to brag about that kind of stuff,” Ward admits, “But I do think it’s cool and unique.”
Zoom meetings followed with both composers—one writing in the style of opera, the other in hip-hop. They asked for input and suggestions, and about a month later, the final musical versions were ready.
“It’s cool how music can change it,” Ward says. “I felt the hip-hop was a lot more upbeat, while the opera was more solemn.” The two renditions show how versatile and powerful the same words can become through different musical lenses.
“We're super proud of him,” says his mother, Jennifer Ward. “He’s always liked to write—comics and stories. This was kind of a surprise, really… We’re proud of him for trying something new. It worked out wonderfully and surprised everybody.”
“The fact that Jackson’s words were chosen by both composers is a testament to his writing talent. I’m so proud of him,” shares Dr. Schneider. "Four PLCS middle school students were chosen this year. Hearing their words put to music was an incredible experience.”
The other PLCS poems selected for this project include:
- “Fowler Street” by M Bonar, La Vista Middle School
- “My Neighborhood” by Madison Dornbusch, La Vista Middle School
- “Untitled” by Michaela Brown, Papillion Middle School
Ward says that the experience has sparked him to write more, branching out into fantasy and realistic fiction. He offers advice to other young people wanting to explore something creative: “If you think you’re good at it, but you don’t want to try, just try… It doesn’t have to just be writing. Maybe it will turn out bad, or maybe it will turn out good.”
For more information about the Opera Omaha Poetry & Music Project, visit operaomaha.org. You can also watch both takes on Ward’s poem at youtube.com/operaomaha.
“We can come together no matter who we are." - Jackson Ward