MARCH 2005
Music For A New Generation
Most days at Fort Mason Center, you can walk by Blue Bear
School of Music in Building D and see and hear musicians of
all ages practicing piano, acoustic or electric guitar, drums,
or saxophone. You might also hear the strains of a flute,
voice students singing, or an entire band rehearsing for a
gig. Late March is a good time to learn more about Blue Bear
because the school is gearing up for the Spring 2005 Quarter
with special events and performances (see "Presenting
New Talent" sidebar).
For nearly 35 years, Blue Bear has been part of the Bay Area
music community, most of that time at Fort Mason Center. Nearly
all of the original founders and many former students are
still associated with the school, which now has more than
600 students each quarter. Blue Bear estimates that more than
20,000 musicians have participated in its programs over the
years.
Bonnie Hayes first studied at Blue Bear as a teenager in
the 1970s. Now Hayes is a popular, Grammy-nominated performer
and recording artist with a slew of hit CDs and albums who
teaches songwriting at the school. Former student Dennis Criteser
has been with the school for more than 25 years and is one
of the executive directors. Criteser is also Blue Bear’s
Program Director, a musician, and producer of folk, rock,
and jazz projects.
All Blue Bear teachers have extensive music industry experience,
which is great for students. The school emphasizes live performance
and organizes band workshops and gigs to get students up on
stage. Bass player and Blue Bear student Sundance Dawe noted
the importance of bands and live performance for learning
music in a www .bluebearmusic.org article.
"This may be the best opportunity to learn what it’s
like to be in a band without pressure," Dawe said. "People
from all walks of life gather to form a band and perform live
on stage. Where else can you do that?"
In addition to regular classes, Blue Bear has lots of special
programs and private lessons. The new "School Of Rock"
Summer Camp offers intensive, weeklong sessions for children
and teenagers who want to learn keyboards, drums, guitar,
bass, and vocals. Hayes designed the program and teaches everything
from rhythms, riffs, and chords to songwriting, lyrics, and
rhymes.
"Young musicians are … key to the survival of music,"
said Blue Bear founder Steve Savage in a "School Of Rock"
article in the Summer 2004 News From The Bear. "It’s
critical … to create more opportunities for youth to
express themselves through music, especially in the styles
they want to play."
To help students with tuition, Blue Bear has fantastic scholarships.
Celebrity and foundation sponsors support the Young Musician
Scholarship Program, which helps students 12-25 years old
selected through auditions. Northern California superstars
Green Day and Blackalicious are the 2005 sponsors. Past sponsors
include Smash Mouth, Cake, Counting Crows, Robert Cray, Bonnie
Raitt, and many others.
The new Keith Allen Memorial Scholarship helps promising
young guitarists in memory of a beloved early Blue Bear teacher.
Blue Bear recently started sliding scale tuition plans for
all ages, based on income. The new Comprehensive Study Programs
for guitar, voice, and songwriting take beginners to onstage
band workshops in 15-18 months.
From Southern slide guitar to world rhythms and Tuvan throat
singing to jazz vocals, the diversity of styles at Blue Bear
reflects the Bay Area’s unique musical mix.
– Claudia Willen
Image: Dennis Criteser
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Blue Bear School of Music invites the
public to these events & classes:
Blue Bear Open Mic Students,
teachers & friends perform solo & group songs at this
potluck/BYOB affair. 3/6 Sun 3-5pm $5 donation Blue Bear (BB)
Performance Hall, Bldg D
Band Workshop Shows Starring
Blue Bear students. 3/21-23 Mon-Wed 7pm $5-$15 donation Tongue
& Groove, 2513 Van Ness at Union, SF www.tongueandgroovesf.com
Quarterly Vocal Showcase Blue
Bear voice students perform. 3/24 Thur 7pm FREE BB Performance
Hall, Bldg D
Intro To Speech Level Singing Short
seminar for singers. 3/28 Mon 6:30-8:30pm $30 Bldg D
From Grit To Grease: Exploring Vocal
Texture Short seminar to give vocals extra color. 3/28
Mon 6:30-8:30pm $35 Bldg D
One Shot "School Of Rock"
Crash course in rock ‘n’ roll. Learn basic drums,
guitar, or voice & be part of a band for the final hour.
4/2 Sat 10:30am-1: 30pm $35 Bldg D
Check www.bluebearmusic.org
for more short seminars, classes & events.
Dates to remember:
Spring 2005 Quarter starts 4/4 Mon, registration for
new students begins 3/16 Wed.
Young Musician Scholarship Program Auditions application
deadline: 4/15 Fri.
– Claudia Willen
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