|
Boston
Herald Article 12/03
Banding
together: Needham's Plugged In! program helps teen bands rock on
By Tenley Woodman
Monday, December 1, 2003
As Aussie rockers AC/DC once sang: "It's a long way to the top if you
wanna rock and roll.''
The Needham-based Plugged In! Teen Jam Band Program gives aspiring musicians
a little help along the way. A real-life "School of Rock,'' the program
teaches local teens how to work together as a band and handle the spotlight.
"We had heard so much about the kids wanting to start a band,'' said
program co-founder Tom Pugh. "I really think that kids don't have the
time these days.''
So two years ago Needham residents Pugh and Sandra Rizkallah, a documentary
producer, created a time and place for kids to live out their rock'
n' roll dreams.
Participants in the 14-week program receive two hours of musical mentoring
each week, and get to mix music with community outreach by performing
in an end-of-semester benefit concert.
Pugh, a Berklee College of Music alumnus, has 30 years of music experience.
He's a member of two Boston-area bands, SloBurn and Lois Lane and the
Daily Planets.
His program is designed to help budding rockers connect with other musicians
and learn how to work as a band.
"They usually come in with an idea, but never really figured out how
to put it together,'' said Pugh. "I have to give them state-of-mind
tips.''
Participants must come to the program with basic musical skills. "We've
had all levels. We figure out something for them to do,'' Rizkallah
said.
Bands are put together based on individual musical tastes, ability,
availability and age.
"We try to put them in a group that will bring out the best in each
of them,'' Rizkallah said.
The five members of Antonio's Bar & Grill gathered on a Sunday morning
two weeks ago to prepare for their gig this Saturday at the Carter Memorial
Methodist Church in Needham. Proceeds from the concert will benefit
the Tobacco Free Mass. Coalition.
The quintet practiced a variety of songs, from Sublime's ``Santaria''
to Ozzy Osbourne's "Sweet Leaf.''
Four of the band members are from Needham (the fifth is from Newton),
but it took Plugged In! and their love of Metallica to bring them together.
Bass player Anthony Sementelli,14, participated in the program last
summer with a different band.
"I just like an outlet from school and stuff. It is something fun to
do,'' said Sementelli, a Needham High School freshman.
Antonio's Bar & Grill is the first band experience for rhythm guitarist
Greg Holland,15, even though he has taken guitar lessons for three years.
"It's just fun to get together and play music you all like,'' said Holland,
also a Needham High freshman.
Keyboardist Alec Stanton, 14, uses Plugged In! as a break from his piano
lesson routine.
"It's more fun than challenging,'' said Stanton, a freshman at Newton
North High School.
Plugged In! serves a different purpose for drummer Dan Comras, 14, who
chose the cause for their concert will benefit. His father died in August
of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which was a result of lung
cancer caused by smoking.
"When asked, no one else in the band had an idea and they didn't take
it seriously,'' said Comras, a Needham High School freshman. "It is
important to me.''
Last year four Plugged In! bands participated in a concert that benefited
Seeds of Peace, a camp that brings Arab and Israeli youths together.
Though most Plugged In! participants are from Needham, the program is
not exclusive to the town. Pugh and Rizkallah hope to expand enrollment
and music styles to include jazz and blues.
(The Plugged In! Teen Jam Band Program's winter session begins Jan.
18; registration deadline is Jan. 5. Call 781-956-4281 or e-mail srizkallah@comcast.net
for more information. )
Click here for home delivery or call 1.800.882.1211 for Back Issues
call 617.619.6523
Copyright by the Boston Herald and Herald Interactive Advertising Systems,
Inc.
No portion of BostonHerald.com or its content may be reproduced without
the owner's written permission. Privacy Commitment
Back to PRESS menu |