Large Scale Central

Musical Offspring

Other Hobbies
#1

I’m not sure how this happened, but both of my kids seem to have a fair amount of musical talent. I was always interested in music. I listen to, and enjoy a diverse catalog, but never developed any playing ability. My talents ended up being expressed behind the mixing board when I was younger.

My youngest - Matthew just had his public debut at the New Fairfield High School Battle of the Bands. His group Citrus doesn’t have enough material ready yet to enter the competition, but they were offered a spot to open as an exhibition act. Here’s the band’s YouTube page witch features an HD video of their first public performance: http://www.youtube.com/user/Citrusnf

Matt plays acoustic guitar (self taught) and sings backup. The other members of Citrus are Ben DiFabbio: lead vocals / bass guitar, Ethan Green: Saxophone, and Chris Babcock: Drums.

My other son Aaron, as many of you know, has been playing keyboards (also self-taught) in various groups for the last 10 years or so. I’ll post some links to his music in this thread later.

#2

Kewl!..Tell him I said that was great!

#3

Wow!! Thank you for sharing. I agree with Ken, it is good. Matt’s talent has always been very obvious to us. It is fun to watch him develop and choose his paths. With the cameo appearances he has made as we have enjoyed our trains, he has always seemed very comfortable being around his parent’s friends. I’m sure he is going to make his mark in this World and you both should be very proud. Has big brother seen it?

#4

Just showed the video to Jan. She agreed that it was good. Trust me, her opinion counts, I’ll share that with you someday. This is a fun time, Jon.

#5

Thanks guys -

Yes, big Brother Aaron has seen it. I haven’t heard his comments directly but Matt said he liked it. Matt’s group will be performing a couple of songs next week in the high school talent show, and he has a singing part in the musical Footloose. Marilyn and I never knew he could sing :smiley:

This bunch of guys has only been practicing together for about 3 weeks, and they learned this song on Wednesday :o

#6

…grinning…

#7

Ric,

Make sure they get a good grounding in the classics and theory, if they want to go to the next level. Tell them I said they sound great!

#8

Like you, Jon, I like music but never learned to play an instrument. Our four girls all play at least one instrument, and Number Three makes her living as a music teacher.

For many years I drove them to lessons, paid the bills and listened to them come to grips with muzak, so I know the feeling that comes when you hear your offspring creating something wonderful. Congratulations!

#9
Steve Featherkile said:
Ric,

Make sure they get a good grounding in the classics and theory, if they want to go to the next level. Tell them I said they sound great!


Okay :wink:

#10

I knew who he was talking to :smiley:

BTW Steve - Matt is in Music Theory this year and loves it. At college he plans on at least a minor in music. Has once thought of a major in music Education, but has cooled to that of late.

#11

I got to hear my boys play once.

#12
Jon Radder said:
I knew who he was talking to :D

BTW Steve - Matt is in Music Theory this year and loves it. At college he plans on at least a minor in music. Has once thought of a major in music Education, but has cooled to that of late.


Our daughter did the Muzak Ed thing. She teaches individuals and small groups in five elementary schools and the junior high school, and takes private students on the side. She tells me not having to teach formal classes of 20+ kids is a big bonus, as is living in a small town (Geraldton, c.25,000).

The money is good - Western Australian teachers just got a 6% pay rise - and she loves the interaction with kids. Guess the latter’s all-important - why do it otherwise?

#13

In general, teachers do it for love. The salary just lets them keep doing it.

#14

Very cool Jon!

Jon.

#15

My father taught vocal music in a junior high school for nearly 50 years. With my uncommon name, it is not unusual for people to ask me if I am related to “Ernie,” as he was called, both by those who loved him and by those who did not.

Once in Tacoma, WA, I was gloved in in surgery, helping with a total hip replacement, when the scrub nurse asked me, "Are you any relation to “Ernie Featherkile?” He was my favorite teacher.

On the last day of school each year, it was tradition for his 9th grade choir to read Handel’s Alleluia Chorus, just for fun. They always acquitted themselves well.

#16

Jon R. Sorry about the senior moment. :stuck_out_tongue:

#17

Senior moment? Oh, I’ve been having one of those since 1st grade.

#18

No worries Steve :smiley: Last night the boys competed in the New Fairfield HS Tr-M Talent show. Tri-M is the music honor society. The competition was pretty fierce including the rock band that won the Battle-of-the-Bands competition last Friday and several other very talented acts. Citrus took 2nd Place :smiley: Matt and Ben also did a two person exhibition to close the show. The boys have updated the video on their YouTube page with a recording of last night’s show. Here are some stills I took from the audience… [url=lsc.cvsry.com/MattCitrus2-1200.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/MattCitrus2-800.JPG)

[/url][color=blue]Cirtus at New Fairfield HS - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/MattCitrus1-1200.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/MattCitrus1-800.JPG)

[/url][color=blue]Matt playing with Cirtus at New Fairfield HS - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] [url=lsc.cvsry.com/MattBen-1200.JPG]

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/MattBen-800.JPG)

[/url][color=blue]Matt & Ben’s acoustic set at New Fairfield HS - FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color]

#19

Jon,

Is Matt working on that Blagojevich hair style? It hasn’t caught on around here. :wink:

I’m going to pay for that one.

#20

He has actually started going hat-less for the first time in many years. It used to be a major catastrophe here in the mornings if the hat couldn’t be found. He refused to leave the house without it. Must be something about having a girl friend and enough money from his job to pay for a stylist :slight_smile:

And to br truthful - I wouldn’t recognize Blago if I ran into him on the street. I get all my news here at LSC! We scooped the networks yesterday on Paul Harvey’s death !