BY LAURA BETH JOHNSON
ISSUE NO. 29 | JULY 2021
This July the Capital Region has more free, live music than we've seen in quite some time! There are four Concert Series that you and your family need to know about this summer!
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MODERN DAY MUSIC SCHOOL
A huge part of a performer’s growth is going to shows and creating connections in the local scene which is why we would LOVE to see the MDM community out and about supporting these local concert series! In Scotia is the Freedom Park Summer Concert Series. Located across the street from Collins Park and right next to Jumpin’ Jack’s, the Freedom Park Summer Concert Series offers free concerts highlighting performers from all over the Capital Region and beyond. All shows start at 7pm. They advise that you bring a chair or blanket.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Tony shared, “I’m really excited to see Watch Reggie Run. I’ve been meaning to see those guys for a while!” Watch Reggie Run was formed in 2017 by Dave and his son Luke who has autism. Their bio reads, “The father/son duo shares a love of music and has found it to be a great way of connecting despite Luke's limited communication skills. The songs were all inspired by Luke. It's fun music for ALL AGES!!!” We love supporting our local special needs community. Be sure to catch them on July 17th at 7pm! You can head down to the corner of Jay and State in Schenectady for Jazz on Jay! Enjoy free lunchtime concerts throughout the summer. Exceptional singers and instrumentalists from across the region bring mesmerizing performances on Thursdays from noon-1:30pm. Laura is most excited for Dylan Perrillo Quartet which has been bringing smooth jazz to the capital region for three years!
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She shared, “I used to go to the swing dance events that Dylan Perrillo Quartet played, so I’m excited to see some top quality, live jazz again!” If you’re a fan of country music like Ben, the Powers Park Concert Series in Troy is perfect for your family! Show up on Saturdays from 6 to 8:30pm to be serenaded and entertained. One great band you won’t want to miss is local legends Skeeter Creek! They’ll take the stage on the 31 with their fresh take on country classics. We have so many students playing great country music who we know would love to see a live country band in action! Rock the Block is another free summer concert series that’s perfect for your MDM student! The events are held in Canal Square in Cohoes and food and beverage are available for purchase. There's a lot of space so make sure to bring your lawn chair and settle in for a great show. Make sure to check the calendar to see the rest of the great bands playing these amazing series. As always, our coaches' gigs are also listed in the calendar! Supporting live music is such a great way to encourage your student in their musical pursuits. We’ll see ya there!
Chris Andreski is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary focuses are guitar and piano. He started playing piano at five years old. Chris shared, “My grandparents had a piano that I would sit at and play around. This was my start in music. I began taking formal lessons a few years later.” Chris went on to teach himself to play guitar and eventually earned a B.A. in both Music and Philosophy from SUNY Oneonta. In college, Chris performed in a variety of ensembles and bands and engineered live sound for concerts at local venues. Chris has been a performing musician in a variety of musical projects and bands in both the Central New York and Capital District music scenes for over twenty years, and his musical tastes are broad, ranging from jazz and blues, through classical and avant garde, to contemporary hip-hop, funk and rock.
Try to sing everything you play. This will train your ear to identify intervals and harmonic progressions. Be hands-on when it comes to applying theoretical concepts in your actual practice. Engaging with the other arts! Poetry, film, literature, etc., they can elevate and inspire your playing. We love these tips and we’re so happy to have you on board, Chris!
Recently he has taken an interest in the more technical aspects of audio engineering/music production and has been recording/producing original music in a variety of musical genres. He said, “Over the past two years, I’ve been learning the ins and outs of recording and music production, and putting together a small home studio. It’s been a lot of fun and kept me sane over the course of the pandemic.” Chris shared some awesome quick tips with us:
JULY CALENDAR
4 - PLUSH, Online Concert and Q&A, 4pm 7 - Big Fez & the Surfmatics, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 8 - The Refrigerators, Rock the Block Concert Series, Canal Square in Cohoes, 6:30pm 10 - Blue Hand Luke (Classic Rock), Powers Park Concert Series, Troy, 6pm 10 - Carmen & Lief’s Guilty Pleasures, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 14 - Donnie P & Celebration Family, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 15 - Center Square, Jazz on Jay, Schenectady, 12pm 15 - Aquanett, Rock the Block Concert Series, Canal Square in Cohoes, 6:30pm 17 - Watch Reggie Run, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 17 - 10 Most Wanted (Dance Party), Powers Park Concert Series, Troy, 6pm 21 - The Lustre Kings, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 22 - Damn the Torpedoes (Tom Petty Tribute Band), Rock the Block Concert Series, Canal Square in Cohoes, 6:30pm 22 - Dylan Perrillo Quartet, Jazz on Jay, Schenectady, 12pm 24 - Heard, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 24 - Legend (Rock Anthem Night), Powers Park Concert Series, Troy, 6pm 28 - Brian Patneaude Quintet, Freedom Park Summer Concert Series, Scotia, 7pm 29 - Jon LeRoy Trio, Jazz on Jay, Schenectady, 12pm 31 - Under the Den (Ben), Pauly’s Hotel, 8pm 31 - Skeeter Creek (Country Night), Powers Park Concert Series, Troy, 6pm
Move your time slot earlier for the summer! We have many 2pm, 2:30pm, and 3pm openings for summer lesson times! Reach out to the office if you'd like a new spot. Group programs start mid-July, this is your LAST CHANCE to sign up! Don't miss Musical Theater or Rock School's LIVE sessions! Performance on 10/3/21.
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENTS in JUNE!
Nevaeh A Emil J Morgan M Richardson W Aiden S Caleb C Declan W Hruday Sai M Soriah S Saroja S Jenna W Aiden J Leo Y Wesley S Emily M Lily M Matthew R Owen H Matthew A Eric D Pedro N Bree K Lily R Bailey J Abhishek N Britain R Natalie S Jeff H Harley D Taylor D Kendalin K Ava-Jay W Damen L Ben K
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