Rock Ensembles Hit All the Right Notes

The is known for its private, hands-on music lessons, where students from Stoughton, Canton, Sharon, Walpole, Bridgewater and other towns come to learn how to play their instruments and sing. But, recently some of the students began learning how to make music together. 

In April 2010, Mike Rubin, an instructor at the Stoughton Music Center, had an idea. He saw the connection between ensemble playing and the team collaboration and negotiation skills needed in the adult world. He thought students at the school could learn leadership, team-building and lifelong skills while continuing to master their instrument. He wanted them to gain performance experience and develop confidence in a band ensemble setting. And, he wanted them to have fun.

And so the Ensemble Program at the Stoughton Music Center was born.

"My goal is to put these kids in a position where they can succeed," Rubin said. "To teach them how to be musicians and play together as a group.  The ensemble gives them the opportunity to play together and have fun."

Rubin is an accomplished guitarist and bassist in his own right, who has performed on a variety of projects. A 1996 graduate of Northeastern University, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Music Theory.

Also a part-time music instructor at the Paul Green School of Rock, the Canton resident has recorded on many CDs, and performed both at a local and national level, opening for such acts as two-time Boston Music Award winning artists Girls, Guns and Glory and Grammy Award Winning artists Maroon 5 and Howie Day.

The Ensemble Program at the Stoughton Music Center is geared for all ages and skill levels. All are welcome. Currently there are two ensembles which meet on Sunday mornings, one at 9:30 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. Plans for a third ensemble are underway.

In the group, the members become proficient with their instrument, but they also gain valuable experience in a setting much like sports, where working together is the path to winning. Along the way they create, collaborate and listen to each other.

As the band played, it was obvious that they were listening to each other, watching their teacher for entrance cues and adjusting their volume levels when, for instance, the singer had the lead. All this from musicians with an average age of 14.

So who are these young musicians who practice every Sunday?  They are Susruth Chandraselfar, a 16-year-old from Canton who plays guitar; Japheth Eloi, a 12-year- old drummer from Stoughton who plays in the second ensemble; and David Elmowitz, a 14-year-old drummer in the first group who is also from Stoughton. Michael Dozois, 14, from Sharon, plays guitar along with Ariel Eloi, 14, from Stoughton, who also plays alto sax and sings. Charlie Donnelly, 16, plays both guitar and drums.

Vocals are handled by Mackenzie Lachkey, a 13-year-old singer from Walpole, and Kassandra Melo, a 14-year-old from Stoughton. Holding down the bass line is Bret Guaralie, 15, from Bridgewater.

"There has been a growing interest at the school in the ensemble work," Rubin said. "The groups have played at one club in Quincy and we hope to identify other new venues where they can play in public and gain that experience too. They will carry this experience and this learning into adulthood."

School of Rock? Maybe. Mr. Holland's Opus? More Likely.

For more information about the ensembles and the music center, you can check out their website. http://www.stoughtonmusic.com.