Selkirk Music Faculty Step from Behind the Curtain
By Bob Hall
Selkirk College faculty who mentor Contemporary Music & Technology Program students on Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus are stepping out of the classroom and into the spotlight.
The annual Faculty Concert takes the stage at the Shambhala Music & Performance Hall on Friday, September 28 and will feature ten talented teachers who double as working musicians when they are not guiding learners through the two-year diploma program.
“One of the important aspects of the Faculty Concert is to show students that they need to live the music,” says veteran Instructor Mark Spielman, who has been teaching in the program for more than two decades. “We hope to inspire students to practice and work hard. It’s also an introduction to each teacher’s music interests and talents for both students and the community.”
The program has been helping foster talents and ambitions of students on the Tenth Street Campus since 1989. The program was developed to train learners for the commercial music and entertainment industry. It’s the only program in Canada based on the world renowned Berklee College of Music curriculum and its guiding principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music.
Faculty in the program are all industry veterans and represent focus in a diverse array of genres. The annual Faculty Concert will feature rock, funk, jazz, blues and pop. Covers by musical greats such as Aretha Franklin and original music will be part of the set list.
“It’s always a great night of music,” says Spielman, who is a bass instructor and teaches several other classes including the History of Jazz. “It’s fun to be able to get together with other instructors and strengthen our own bonds through music.”
Admission to the show is by donation with all proceeds going to Red Cross Fire Relief. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Find out more about the Selkirk College Contemporary Music & Technology Program at: selkirk.ca/musichttp://selkirk.ca/music.
