PERU, N.Y. (WCAX) – Music echoed in Northern New York on Friday as We Are Instrumental’s music summit gave kids a chance to learn from some of the area’s best.
Students from across five North Country counties got the chance to improve their musical skills at the second annual music summit.
At Peru High School, with the help of 25 pros, almost 400 students worked to improve their craft on instruments like drums and saxophones.
“How often do we get to all of these professional musicians to teach our kids for free, too. A great opportunity for kids to network and meet other kids that do the same thing they do,” said Joseph Ianaconi, the band teacher at Chateaugay Central School.
We Are Instrumental’s summit draws in the area’s best, allowing kids to learn from multiple teachers at a time.
The organization’s executive director, Evan Mack, says it’s also an opportunity for districts to record the sessions, storing them digitally for music lessons down the road.
“Normally that would require multiple private lessons nearby. You know, the average teacher, private teacher is, you know, one and a half, two hours away. So we are bringing everybody here to have that experience,” Mack said.
A leg up for music students like Peru senior Alexa Markowicz, who has played percussion since fourth grade.
“Since I have been playing for so long, I have really only had one teacher and have only got to see that one style of teaching. So, getting to like go around and see other teachers’ styles and learn new things from other people, I think that is very valuable for a person,” Markowicz said.
There was also help for musical newcomers, like Peru senior Liam Clowney.
“My brother got me an electric drumset. So, I got right into it really fast,” Clowney said.
Beyond the music, Clowney says the connections he made are equally important.
“People that have shown up and the personalities I have seen so far and the energy and the positivity that is circulating throughout the building right now is fantastic, and it is all embedded in the music,” Clowney said.
The third annual music summit will be held at the AuSable Valley High School next October.