BY LAURA BETH JOHNSON
mdm opening, 2011
ISSUE NO. 27 | MAY 2021
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MODERN DAY MUSIC SCHOOL
Owner, Paul Benedetti, explained how it all started. “My son was in 9th grade and wanted to be in a band," he said, "we managed to do it for a short while but getting teens together to rehearse and book shows was a nightmare. So we thought, 'Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could open a place where kids can play in bands with a director where it’s organized and scheduled with a rehearsal room and equipment?' In 2011, the only music schools in this area were more classically focused, so MDM aimed to be a school where kids could learn the music they love.
Last month marked Modern Day Music’s 10th Anniversary! MDM’s doors opened on April 28th, 2011 with four coaches and a few dozen students. It has since grown to be a pillar in the local musical community as an excellent place to study privately and to record and rehearse in a rock band, acapella group, songwriting group, and musical theater group!
A DECADE OF MDM
Benedetti laughed remembering, “We used to do guerilla style marketing with promo cards that were a custom shape. You could not go into a local business without seeing them. We had hundreds of new students come through our doors during those first 8 months of 2011.” Now the community knows what MDM is all about - Teaching students the music that they want to learn. “Our core value is this: Play The Music You Love!” explained Benedetti, “For example, most voice students don’t want to be learning French Arias from the 16th Century. Some might and our coaches are happy to teach that as well, but most students are excited to learn the music that they love listening to.” Benedetti noticed that as his son got older, the high school band he played in got smaller and smaller. Most students start learning an instrument in middle school because they have to. As they get older less of them actually WANT to be doing it. He wanted to provide a place where students could learn music on their own terms, stick with it longer, and take it with them to be a part of their life through college and beyond. He said, “If we can help people keep their love of music alive into adulthood then we have done something meaningful.”
vincenzo benedetti 2016 2020
CONT...
moriah formica in 2016 with michael sweet of stryper and mdm owner, paul benedetti
There have been many examples of MDM students continuing as musicians, at all different levels from bonfire acoustic plays to professional rock stars. Moriah Formica joined MDM in January 2012 when her brother grabbed a promo card at a local business in Latham. She was in the very first Rock School band program in March 2012 and participated in many iterations of it over the years to come. Benedetti recognized Formica’s potential right away and a couple years later met with her family about producing and recording her original material. She was only 14! Many meetings and sessions later she released her debut EP in 2016. In 2017, Moriah wowed the nation on the popular television show, The Voice. She worked on the song she performed for the battle round of The Voice with her MDM Vocal Coach and Paul in the studio. Moriah always loved rock music so that's what she focused on refining with her coaches. Moriah settled into her rock style so early on in part because our school supports people being who they are. Our coaches don’t have an agenda. You love Pat Benatar? Cool, let’s look at the techniques she uses to get her signature sound and learn them. Moriah made many connections over the years and did studio sessions in NYC and LA and now has management and a new band, Plush. “It was amazing to have the opportunity to work with her and help develop her from a child musician into the incredible artist she is today,” shared Benedetti, “I have a few businesses and MDM has always been a passion project for me. My wife and I decided together a few years in that we were determined to see it through and we couldn’t be happier that we are where we are in 2021, 10 years later.” Paul and Marilu, we’re so grateful to you for building this place up the past decade! Happy Anniversary to you, and to us! It’s been a beautiful 10 years.
moriah formica in 2014 with jason bittner of overkill and mdm owner, paul benedetti
May the Fourth Be With You Star Wars fans of all ages celebrate May 4th as Star Wars Day, a holiday honoring George Lucas’ hit franchise created in 1977! The films were scored by American composer John Williams who had previously worked with Lucas’ friend, Steven Spielberg.The Star Wars' theme is among the most widely recognized in film history. Both the film and its score were immensely successful—it remains the highest grossing non-popular music recording of all time. Williams won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for it!
Composer
In 1980 Williams returned to score The Empire Strikes Back, introducing "The Imperial March" as the theme for Darth Vader. The original Star Wars trilogy concluded with the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, for which Williams' score provided a lush emotional soundscape yet again. Both scores earned him Academy Award nominations. Williams' most familiar style may be described as a form of neoromanticism, inspired by the late 19th century's large-scale orchestral music. He studied at Juilliard and the Eastman School of Music and then moved to LA to work as an orchestrator at film. His credits include many of the movie themes you know and love like Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and of course Star Wars. Make sure to put on some John Williams this May 4th!
MAY CALENDAR
1 - On this day in 1956, Johnny Cash released “I Walk the Line”. 4 - Star Wars Day 5 - Cinco de Mayo 7 - Vagabond (Tony), Downtown Social in Glens Falls 7 - Ben Zoleski at Spa City Tap and Barrel 7:30pm-10:30pm 8 - National Lost Sock Memorial Day 10 - "Living" EP Release, MDM Student, Cassie Cenzano 10 - On this day in 1970, David Bowie was awarded an Ivor Novello Award for Best Original Song 'Space Oddity'. 12 - National Limerick Day 14 - Ben Zoleski at Katie O' Byrnes, 7pm-10pm 14 - National Dance Like a Chicken Day 16 - Shavuot 21- Ben Zoleski at The Cellar, 7:30pm-10:30pm On this day in 1967, Jimi Hendrix signed with Reprise Records on the US Warner Brothers label. 24 - National Brothers Day 30 - On this day in 1924, Latin jazz percussionist Armando Peraza of Santana was born. 31 - Memorial Day, MDM Closed
We have a new front desk admin joining us in the office, Chris Healy! We can't wait for you all to meet him. We love reviews! Please take a moment to write a Google review about your experience at MDM. We appreciate it!
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENTS in APRIL!
Deneen K Liam Y Kyra P Edward C Katy C Kylee M KJ S Samantha R Sonia S Alice M Eric S Jacob A Zeke F Nick D Noah S Caio C Elizabeth M Ben A Bethenny A Brigitte T Vivienne C Mia C Linda P Mary M Cade M Ryan Z Gigi G Kinley D Marissa G Cora Z
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!