Music programs hit high notes

Andre Speckert is a jazz fan. Especially when the saxophone is showcased.

Attracted to the instrument's round, resonant sound, the Saratoga Central Catholic School junior plays alto, tenor and baritone versions in the school's jazz band.

"It's not hard," said the 17-yea-old. "It's pretty much all the same keys."

For many teens in Catholic schools, music -- jazz, classical, pop and more -- teaches friendship, teamwork, improvisation and diligence.

Music of note

The Spa Catholic jazz band, founded three years ago by teacher Michael McNally and a cadre of interested students from the regular band, sports two guitarists, a bassist, a saxophonist, a drummer, a trumpeter and a keyboardist.

Because of that mix, the band is able to play "everything" from straight jazz to blues, funk and fusion, and is able to "put a new spin on old classics," Andre said.

Often, the students and their teacher come up with their own arrangements.

After-school sounds

The band plays summer and winter gigs at birthday parties, weddings and restaurants. The group practices six hours a week and three hours a day right before a concert. "It's pretty much our life after school," Andre explained.

He hopes to go to college but hasn't yet decided if his chosen field will be film or music education.

"If you want to do it professionally, it's a lot of practice," he said of music. "But I know people that play the guitar and pick it up once or twice a year at a party. You can go at whatever pace you want. As long as you have fun, that's what matters."

Bass motifs

Jason McLagan started playing the bass -- both electric and acoustic -- only two years ago. He's signed on with a number of ensembles at Spa Catholic in an effort to get involved -- even though he's still learning to read music.

For Jason, participating in music is a chance to have fun as well as to "collaborate with my friends and perform in front of other people. It's exciting. I kind of get stage fright when I go on. But, when I'm on, it's great."

He has been learning about musical collaboration since early on in his life. His father -- a musician who played a number of wind instruments -- served as an inspiration. His brother is a drummer in the jazz band.

Sound decision

Jason decided to play the bass after listening to Return to Forever, a jazz/rock fusion group from the 1970s. Like Andre, he was impressed with the sound of the instrument.

He began to take lessons at school, and spends time practicing and learning technique from books, friends and his teachers. He plays the upright acoustic bass in the string ensemble and the electric bass in the jazz ensemble.

"I memorize, mostly," Jason explained. "I usually have to hear a song before I can play it. I want to become more fluent at reading music. That's why I'm part of [the school orchestra and band]."

Along with music, Jason is also part of student government, youth court and baseball team, and he reports for the school newspaper.

Trombone time

Teachers at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, which does not have a formal music program, encouraged trombonist Peter Phillips, a 17-year-old senior, to join outside organizations, including the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) and the orchestra at The College of Saint Rose.

He had to audition to land a spot with the ESYO, an experience he calls "nerve-wracking. You know you can play the piece very well, but it all comes down to the five minutes you're in the room."

Peter began playing the trombone as a student in the Albany City school district. When he transferred to Maginn, he began to take private lessons.

Belonging to ESYO -- a group that promotes playing on a more professional level -- "takes a lot of time and focus," he said. "You really have to know your music and know how to play very well. You learn to practice. They expect you to know how to play it and get through it without too much extra help."

Freestyle

Peter has a lot on his plate: He's taking two AP classes, runs track and belongs to the school service club. He also enjoys snowboarding and deep-sea fishing.

Peter calls music "freeing," saying that "it gives you your space and time to do what you want. But, in return, you have to study and practice. It's new, something different than general courses. You learn to appreciate music more, and the knowledge you'll have for the rest of your life by taking a music class will benefit you.

"It took a long time to learn, and a lot of hard work to learn how to play well and to get to where I am right now. I'm happy about that."

Music has also increased his self-confidence. "I make myself happy when I play," he said. "It's made me feel good about myself -- knowing that I can do it. There's always a lot more to learn."

Advantages of music ed

At Catholic Central High School in Troy, teacher David Hayden heads up a number of middle-school and high-school bands. There's also an eighth-grade choir.

"There's only two cross-cultural languages," Mr. Hayden said, "and those are math and music. They are present in all continents, walks of life and demographics."

Being involved in music can help students to cultivate high-level thinking, he said, as well as look behind the obvious for different shades of meaning and develop discipline.

"It's expression, interpretation and learning to read an entirely new syntax," he noted. "In essence, [musicians] are learning another language. We run a fairly rigorous program; lessons are required, and everything is graded. It's not a walk in the park. These kids work at it. They have to want it. We set up a challenging environment, and they rise to the occasion." (KB)

(1/27/05)