Mamaroneck Musicians Learn from the Masters

by Doris Shaw Block

(December 16, 2004) It is fifth period, and the members of the Mamaroneck High School “A” Jazz Band are hard at work practicing Duke Ellington selections on the stage iof McClain Auditorium. Jim Cifelli, the well-known trumpeter, is giving the band pointers as they attempt to reach a new level of excellence for this year’s Duke Ellington competition, an annual contest in which high school jazz bands across the country submit their recordings of Duke Ellington music.

Mr. Cifelli’s instruction is part of a program funded by a grant from the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation that engages professional musicians to work with the bands, percussionists, orchestra and choral groups to enhance the skills of the high school’s musicians.

Mr. Cifelli “was excellent, and he really helped us with our phrasing and interpretation of pieces which are old in style and hard to interpret,” enthused Noah Nathan, lead alto saxophonist.

Members of the jazz and concert bands also are receiving instruction this week from two other well-known local musicians, trombonist Dr. J. C. Sanford and saxophonist David Brandom.

As part of the same program, in October, nineteen MHS vocalists came to school on a Friday night and Saturday to participate in a seven-hour clinic with Roger Treece, noted singer, composer, arranger and two-time Grammy Award nominee. Mr. Treece’s non-traditional clinic focused on rhythms, improvisation, vocal technique, pitch and musical/vocal choices. He worked both collectively with the group and individually with each student in front of the class.

Elyse Ptak, Mamaroneck High School’s vocal teacher, judged the clinic a resounding success: “The students not only left with a better understanding of different ways to work on necessary vocal skills and rehearsal techniques, but also took with them an increased level of confidence.”

In addition, through the grant, the high school orchestra is participating in the New York Philharmonic Visiting Artists Program. The MHS musicians traveled to New York City on Thursday, December 9 to sit in on a rehearsal of the New York Philharmonic.

Learning from these master artists is bound to have positive ramifications, according to Timothy Hooker, Mamaroneck High School’s jazz and concert band teacher. “The department looks forward to watching as the children absorb and grow from this wonderful experience,” he said.

Each of the MHS musical groups will have an opportunity to perform during the holiday season. The ensemble concert took place on December 15 and featured the jazz bands, vocal ensemble, swing choir and percussionists. The concert band, symphonic orchestra, concert orchestra and concert choir are performing their annual Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at 7:30 pm in McLain Auditorium. The entire Larchmont-Mamaroneck community is invited to come and enjoy hearing the results of the students’ hard work and master instruction.

Doris Shaw Block is with the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, which is a volunteer non-profit community organization that provides public schools in Larchmont and Mamaroneck with supplemental funds for innovative programs, materials and enhanced facilities and equipment beyond the scope of the regular school curriculum. The Foundation can be reached at (914) 698-9079, or visit its website at www.MamaroneckSchoolsFoundation.com

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