CMC Notes – June 2024

4. Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Over the years I’ve played many classic rock songs from bands like Pink Floyd, The Eagles, The Beatles, and many more but in a way, they are all fairly similar. That is why in my last year at the CMC I am truly broadening my horizons and learning Partita in A minor by Bach and transcribed by Brandon for electric guitar. It sounds amazing and it has so much interesting theory behind it. I never knew I could play these classical songs on an electric guitar and this just shows how endless the possibilities can be on any instrument.

5. If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?

If I could play any other instrument it would be the drums. Playing and learning music changes the way you experience it in day-to-day life. By learning guitar, whenever its presented in music I focus on it and have more of an appreciation because I can notice some of the intricacies of what is being played. By playing in a band I find this theory applies as well. I understand the effort it takes to play music with others and I also have more fixation on some of the other key instruments such as bass, keys and drums. Out of those three I feel the drums have such a central role in all music and I would love to gain a deeper understanding of the instrument myself.

6. What else do you do in your spare time?

Between sports, music lessons, and a busy high school schedule I don’t have too much spare time. When I do I like to spend it with friends or watching movies. No matter what I’m doing, music always finds a way into the equation. With friends, we play music for each other, and in movies I am captivated by the soundtracks. Music is such a big part of my life that I hear it everywhere and in everything. I am thankful to the CMC who have made music such a big part of my identity and to my teacher Brandon who guided me in exploring it.

7. Who are some of your musical inspirations?

My biggest musical inspiration is my dad. My dad has had a large impact on the type of music that I listen to and the music that I learn. In addition, he was the one who encouraged me to take music lessons and keep learning even when I felt like quitting. He also took lessons from a young age and still plays piano occasionally when he has time. I remember listening to him when I was younger and being amazed at how he could recreate pieces I’d heard on the radio so beautifully. This inspired me to learn my instrument and someday pass on the passion for music which he instilled in me.

8. What do you like most about CMC?

The thing I like the most about the CMC is the sense of family. Ever since I started taking lessons I always felt as if I belonged and was cared for. I remember taking one of my RCM exams with Lusiana and being surprised that the director of the school could make the time for me. I’ve been to big music schools like the RCM and everything felt so grand and daunting. It was a stressful environment and I felt like just another cog in the machine. At CMC it could not be any more different, the amazing teacher-to-student ratio and tightly-knit community make for an amazing learning environment and would make any student feel this way.

9. Anything else you want to add?

Thank you to the CMC and its team for all that they have taught me to become a more skilled and mature individual.