STARKVILLE — Music is in Jemero Carter’s blood.
Like a calling to ministry or gravitation to the ball field, he couldn’t fight what he was meant to do: play music.
He tried, though, beginning his undergraduate studies in aerospace engineering at Mississippi State University in 2003. The choice of major was practical, given the average salary of an engineer and his relative lack of musical training.
But as a freshman, Carter missed the expression and creativity of making music. He played trumpet in the Louisville High School band and always enjoyed singing as a child. He knew to recapture that joy, he’d have to take a more difficult road to earning his degree than his engineering curriculum.
So in 2004, prior to his sophomore year, he changed his major to music education and started playing piano.
Immediately, Carter was challenged by learning to read music beyond the treble clef, which was all he needed to know to play trumpet in high school.
Professors in the music program advised him against learning the piano, ultimately encouraging Carter to major in vocal performance.
“I second guessed it a lot of times,” Carter said. “It was a lot of practice, sometimes five to six hours a day. But my passion for music and wanting to play was my drive at that point. I kind of saw myself in the future, knowing it would be a great asset in my life.”
Carter persevered, making up for lost time by practicing long hours and performing in MSU concert bands. Still, he was ready to give up during his senior year, as the stress of his journey started to catch up with him.
“Preparing for senior recital was nerve wracking,” Carter said, “but nothing beats the feeling I had when I completed it.”
Carter, now in his third year as a music teacher for the Starkville School District, often shares his narrative with aspiring musicians and music majors.
His elementary school students, from kindergarten to fifth grade, just think “Mr. Carter” knows how to sing and play piano. They have no idea he’s a classically trained pianist and has his own band.
After tonight’s Music on the Green, a Starkville Foundation for Public Education concert at Overstreet Elementary, that’s going to change.
Carter will perform with his band, Cross Genre, during the show, which begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
Admission is $2, and children under 5 get in free.
“I’ll teach them different instruments, but as far as capacity of performing, they haven’t seen me,” Carter said. “I think it might be a shocker for them. I’m a very energetic person in class, but not in the capacity of the way I do when I perform. I try to get free when I perform.
“I think it will only help motivate them.”
Music on the Green began last year, when Starkville Foundation for Public Education officials wanted to create a unique fundraising event. Hoping to blend a family atmosphere with quality entertainment, they settled on a concert event that featured musicians who’d donate their time to play.
In its second year, the band list is highlighted by musicians who have ties to Starkville and the Golden Triangle. Columbus blues musician Big Joe Shelton will perform with his band the Black Prairie Ambassadors. Shelton recently released an album titled “The older I get, the better I was.”
Former Columbus Mayor Jeffrey Rupp, who has two children who attend SSD schools, will also perform. Starkville resident and Mississippi State University professor Bill Cooke is also on the bill.
“Anything I can do to benefit the area, I’m more than happy to do it,” said Shelton, who has performed throughout the southeast United States and Europe. “It’s nice being appreciated by people outside the area, but to be here and to play at an event to benefit this area makes it much more worthwhile to me.”
Close to 300 people attended last year’s concert, and the Starkville Foundation for Public raised close to $2,000. Foundation President Heather Carson said they’ve already surpassed that amount through sponsorship contracts.
In addition to live music, vendors will sell snow cones and pizza. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own picnic items.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
