Middletown Arts Council partners with schools providing master instrumental classes
by Bayshore Courier News
Posted:03/09/10

Monmouth County, NJ - "How do I hit the high notes? "How do I sustain my breath?" "How do I go from c to f on the high register?"

These were all questions Middletown middle and high school clarinet students asked master clarinet teacher and professional musician Richard Grossman. Mr. Grossman conducted a 90-minute lesson on everything a student wanted to know about the clarinet and did not have the opportunity to ask in band practice.

He, in turn, asked the students, "Did anyone ever crush their reeds in frustration?" To which every hand in the Middletown Arts Center's (MAC) theatre went up.

Mr. Grossman then gave the approximately fifty students tips on reed care, which could be quite intricate. He explained that when reeds are brand new, they taste just terrible, so care should be taken to take them out of the box and let them breathe for awhile. Soaking them is also advised. Rubbing them for a few minutes between your fingers seals the grain. Even light sanding of the flat side with a fine quality sand paper can produce a similar result, which increases vibration for better tone quality.

The 90-minute professional lesson included professional performance pieces by volunteer musicians. Performing with Mr. Grossman for the session were Joseph Lawlor and Robert Slonim, (both retired Middletown band directors) and Greg Grispart, a Middletown elementary school music teacher. Following the instructional part of the class, students had the opportunity to practice and play a duet or ensemble piece with the musicians. These students all attend one of the district's three middle schools or two high schools.  The lesson, however, presented the only opportunity to meet one another and actually play music together.

The program is the brainchild of Joseph Lawlor. Mr. Lawlor joined the MTCAC Board of Trustees as its Middletown School district liaison when he was a Middletown band director. He remained a Trustee upon retirement. As a liaison, he was charged with exploring opportunities for Middletown students to utilize the beautiful new Middletown Arts Center. The Master Class series was brought to fruition in late 2009 with the first class on the flute instructed by Marjorie Koharski, a professional flutist from Neptune. Monthly classes, which cover a different instrument each time, are scheduled for the rest of the school year. Classes are planned to repeat the same instrument each year.  Different master musicians will be invited so the students get exposure to a number of professionals throughout their secondary school music careers. The cost is minimal and self sustaining. A $10 fee covers the lesson and transportation for each student between their schools and MAC. The MAC auditorium has the capacity to seat up to 240 spectators. The average Middletown classes have approximated 40 to 50 students per session.

Joseph Lawlor comments on the multiple advantages of the program, stating, "Middletown's schools each have their own band and perform in their own concerts. Very rarely do kids get to hear other Middletown school students who play the same instrument. I also think it will be very beneficial for these kids to meet and learn from professional musicians who demonstrate that their relationship with their instrument need not end with high school. They can play in college or in community bands."

Joseph Lawlor models this ideal for his students. He remains an active musician playing the saxophone, clarinet, and flute as well as the violin. He is one of three conductors of the Colts Neck Community band and plays with the Brookdale Community College adult jazz band. His fellow musician, Richard Grossman, (who he tapped to present the first master clarinet class) is a fellow conductor of the Colts Neck Community Band who also performs with the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Grossman played with the Hartford Chamber Orchestra and was a soloist at the National Clarinet Clinic in Denver. Richard Grossman holds a masters degree in music and has conducted other clarinet clinics locally and regionally.

He was very happy to respond to Mr. Lawlor's request to conduct the Master Class, stating, "I am very passionate about the clarinet and want to inspire the students with a different perspective so they can enjoy playing the instrument even more."

The students followed his direction intently mimicking his demonstration on breathing, and mouth, throat and lip formation in order to produce the best sound. Many volunteers accepted the invitation to demonstrate pieces of music first presented to them that day.

High School South senior Amanda Canny commented, "I thought the session was really helpful and I learned a lot. I trust that they knew what they were talking about (all the professional musicians) and I am glad to have had the opportunity to come and play."

Her classmate, High School South senior Billy Belke, agreed with her summation adding, "The instructor made me value my musical instrument even more just knowing that there are musicians who are willing to take the time to have us learn."

MAC Director Maggie O'Brien states of the Master Class program with the Middletown School District, "I am so excited that we can partner with the schools to increase our art opportunities for the Middletown students. It is an awesome way to supplement the great programs they have at the school, and provide enriching programs for the community. We hope to grow this program and expand to other disciplines in art, dance and theater in order to provide the students with programs they wouldn't necessarily access in their regular school program."

While the master classes began this year with just Middletown School District students, it is open to all middle school and high school-age students in Middletown. School and MAC officials are also investigating expanding the program to surrounding towns who may wish to send their students to the master classes. Anyone interested in learning more about the program can contact Ms. O'Brien at Mobrien@middletownnj.org.




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