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<tr><td width="5"> </td><td valign="top"><strong>Jazz Program</strong><br><br>The Steckman Studio's Jazz Ensemble is a twenty nine-year-old program. It is a natural outgrowth of the studio's mission which states, in part, that "music is in and for everyone."<br><br>
Ensemble members often continue private lessons and if tuition costs cannot be covered by their family, partial or complete funding is provided by the Steckman Studio scholarship program, private donors, or corporate sponsors. No one is turned away for lack of funds.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>
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<em><strong>"..I can never forget my positive experiences with Steckman because we were able to play at festivals, libraries, fundraisers and really, really nice house parties, where we were always the main entertainment. Just to relax and play your tunes for people who enjoyed our pieces and came over to congratulate us, is a very rewarding experience for teenagers. <br><br>It makes you realize that you can do anything as long as you work hard and practice regularly. Even more memorable are the people who were in the band with me, including my brother Zane, who has made incredible strides and improved his drumming skills since joining Steckman (thanks Andre). Every gig we did was fun; there were no exceptions..."</strong></em><br><br>–Shabaz Ranney (<a href="8studentsprofiles.shtml">More in Alumni/student profiles</a>)
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<em><strong>Jazz Ensemble</strong><ul>
It's nearing Christmas break and the group of teenagers are complaining
about final exams, their jealousy over the apparent freedom of college
students and the price of someone's newly purchased acoustic guitar. A
voice suddenly calls out, "Autumn Leaves," and all talking stops. A
piano tentatively begins to play Johnny Mercer's familiar melody.
<br><br>
The piano is suddenly joined by the drummer, who cranks up the tempo
before
being joined by the bass and rhythm guitarists. This is not a typical
teenage garage band; these musicians are producing an accomplished,
quality
sound.</em></ul>
Although composed of teenagers, the Jazz Ensemble receives monetary
compensation for
professional gigs. This particular group has performed in such venues
as
the historic Pleasant Home, Fitzgerald's Night Club, Unity Temple, the
Madison Street Association's progressive dinner, and the Brown Cow Ice
Cream Parlor. Preparing for paying gigs not only motivates the players
to
rehearse seriously but it also intrinsically elevates the self-esteem
factor of
involvement in the group.
<ul>
<em>The bass player begins his solo with possibly a little more intensity
than
usual; it could have something to do with the man setting up recording
equipment in the hallway. The group is preparing to cut a demo CD
tonight
and some of the musicians, the bass player included, will use it to
apply
to music schools.</em>
</ul>
"Many of the students from the jazz ensemble attend prestigious music
schools," says Dr. Harry Steckman. "The musicians in the ensemble
often
use recordings to showcase their work as part
of their resume for potential schools. Graduates of the Steckman Jazz
Program have gone on to music schools such as Mannes College of Music
in
New York City, Illinois Wesleyan and Berklee College of Music in
Boston.
<ul>
<em>The rhythm guitarist takes his improvised solo before handing over the
spotlight to the drummer. The transitions have been absolutely
seamless,
these young musicians are obviously used to the give and take of an
ensemble.</em>
</ul>
One obvious social benefit of being in a music ensemble is learning to
work
with peers. This group, composed of two Seniors and two Juniors seems
quite mature in that respect, but it hasn't always been that way. The
group's current bass player recalls a time when the ensemble relied
quite
heavily on a now-graduated saxophone player because they "had some
trouble
holding song forms together back then." Those times are obviously long
past.
<ul>
<em>The last "leaf" of Mercer's song has fallen and there is an immediate
discussion about how many repeats to take and some talk about normal
vs.
trade solos and "hit" or "hold" chords. These are obviously
knowledgeable
musicians.</em>
</ul>
Being part of the jazz ensemble requires prior involvement in the jazz
prep
program, which includes private lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums,
saxophone, or voice; students move into the ensemble when their
individual
instructor considers them ready. Ensemble members often continue
private
lessons and if tuition costs cannot be covered by their family, partial
or
complete funding is provided by the Steckman Studio scholarship
program,
private donors, or corporate sponsors. No one is turned away for lack
of
funds.
<ul><em>
A grade school piano student stands in the doorway, watching the "big
boys." He slowly inches his way into the room, wanting to be part of
the
group, a part of the music. Someday, if the Steckman Jazz Program
continues, he might have that chance.</em></ul>- <b>Kathy Atwood</b> [<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>]
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