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Professionals Jam With Students
By Cindy Mooney & Laurie Sullivan
They taught, they jammed, they lunched - and they performed. And when it was all over, a psyched group of Edgemont High School musicians were grateful for the interactive experience of working with a professional jazz band.
On Friday, April 16, 2002, Edgemont's jazz band,under the direction of music teacher Alan Hollander, was treated to a visit by well-known jazz musician Paula Atherton and her four-piece jazz band, "Interplay".
Atherton, a vocalist who also plays flute, alto and soprano sax, has toured the world performing and working as a bandleader on Lifetime Network's "Girls Night Out." Guitarist Steve Briody does session work on commercials. Keyboardist Bill Heller also performs with "The Rippingtons," a contemporary jazz group. Bassist Schuyler Deale has played with Michael Bolton, Billy Joel and Jeff Lorber. Drummer Vinny Conigliaro has played on "Politically Incorrect" and with Mitch Ryder. Collectively, Interplay performs at a variety of venues in the tristate area.
Interplay band members worked with the high school students as they practiced several songs, offering insights and tips on various elements of jazz. Following the clinic, the professionals performed and later invited the students to jam with them.
Senior Matt Newton, piano player for the EHS jazz band and one of the students who jammed with Interplay, commented that "I don't often have the chance to play with professionals. This has been a great learning opportunity."
After the clinic the students and the visiting musicians lunched together, giving the students the opportunity to ask advice and discover the various paths they followed to become professionals.
Following the lunch break, Interplay performed for the entire school, in conjunction with Peter Voccola of the Local 802 Musician's Union. Atherton and the musician's union are working to develop educational programs that offer students the opportunity to work with professionals. Financial support for the Edgemont program was jointly funded by Local 802 and the PTA'S PISA (Parents In Support of the Arts) committee.
Cindy Mooney is co-chairman of PISA.
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