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TONY BOFFA SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
After teaching instrumental
music in three different public school systems for 21 years, I have uncovered
some important consistencies and voids. These consistencies and voids
are my motivation for starting the Tony Boffa School of Contemporary Music.
People
of all ages are always excited when they begin music instruction, but
many feel a halt in progress when the lessons are incorrectly balanced
with either too much tedious technical and theoretical work, or too much
fun and games type of teaching which is soon recognized as false progress.
The no lies, no sugar coating, truthful approach to music instruction
is really the only way. Learning is fun when taught by an energetic, inspired,
and organized instructor.
For years reading music, and learning theory, harmony, and composition
was what the classically or "legitimately" trained musician did. The pop
and rock musician was usually self-trained, or taught by some less than
qualified teacher who rented space in a music store. This scenario creates
the wall, which I intend to knock down.
First of all, as a student on any instrument reaches a certain level of
proficiency they will become eligible for classes, and ensembles, which
will provide an outlet for practical performance. The classes will be
structured in varying levels, beginner to advanced in music theory, leading
to the option of studying harmony with more of a pop and jazz slant. This
type of harmony opens up the often neglected, and very exciting world
of chord symbols, which then dominoes into the never-ending pursuit of
improvisational skills. Arranging classes, also beginner to advanced,
help to solve the mystery of how wind instruments and strings are used
with guitars and drums, or how auxiliary percussion can enhance the groove,
and in general how the formally unreachable and more sophisticated styles
of music are created.
Many varied ensembles will be offered for the flexing of various musical
muscles. We plan to offer brass and woodwind quintets and choirs, jazz
workshops, and large jazz bands with trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and
rhythm sections. We will also provide musicians with the unique opportunity
to learn to organize, and play in marketable commercial groups which we
could even as part of our long range plans provide engagements (gigs)
for.
As I continue to put my thoughts on paper I realize that the offerings
are endless. The concept of literate music instruction, welcoming the
pop, rock, and jazz styles is a winner. Our programming will tend to the
prospective professional, and the recreational musician, the very young,
and the very old, but all will be taught to be self-reliant musicians
enjoying the journey, and realizing that it should be at least as exciting
as the destination.
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