Bensalem Band Gets Lessons From Experts

From the BCCT.

Musicians to get lessons from experts
By: JOAN HELLYER

About 100 Bensalem students have signed up to take part in "An Evening of Master Classes."

Pawel Bogdanowicz believes musicians, just by their nature, are constantly looking for ways to improve.

"We're always striving for perfection," said Pawel, 17, a trumpet player in the Bensalem High School band.

That's why the high school senior said he's looking forward to Jan. 14, when he and about 100 other Bensalem students will work with professional musicians, actors, teachers and college professors in free, performance-based workshops at the school off Hulmeville Road.

During "An Evening of Master Classes," clinicians will provide the students in third through 12th grade with an outside perspective on how to improve their techniques and delivery, organizers said.

"Something might click for you that didn't click before. That's what you are waiting for, that one bit of inspiration," Pawel said during a band rehearsal Monday afternoon.

High school instrumental music teacher Michael Drobish came up with the idea for the workshops after serving as a visiting clinician at a master class in the Centennial School District. The program is similar to fine arts workshops hosted by other area districts, he said.

The goal is to help students develop their talents to improve their performances and be better prepared for talent-type competitions against their peers, Drobish said.

"He cares," Bensalem senior Katie Schlenker, 17, said. "He wants us to all be better musicians."

Katie, an oboe player, hopes working with a college professor during the master class will help her build on her previous success in district band competition, where she was first chair in the oboe section last year.

The future music major said she also welcomes the opportunity to get a feel for what college will be like, since she expects to be working with a professor during the workshop.

"I think anyone who has an opportunity like this should take advantage of it," Katie said. "The [clinicians] are great performers. I hope everyone learns a lot."