June 06th, 2019

6/6/2019

Music Authority Family Newsletter - April 16, 2019

The History of Music Authority's Band Program

The History of Music Authority's Band Program

Many of you have noticed posts and videos over the last few weeks remembering Rise, Music Authority's first showcase band. As the auditions of Music Authority's newest band, Beyond, draw closer, we wanted to take a look back and remember everything Rise has done to create a foundation for today.

Rise was born on March 30, 2014. It was the first Sunday of Spring Break when five young musicians were given the opportunity to join Music Authority's first Showcase Band. The band didn't have a name yet, all we had was a concept - a band that had five of the best young musicians on Music Authority's roster. We didn't even have a name for the band.

That band, made up of Sydney Cameron, Jake Lanni, Drey Woodson, Harrison Block, and Brayden Suddth, started the magic that later became the Music Authority Rock Ensemble program. Meeting on Sunday afternoons, the young musicians learned classic rocks songs.

Brayden Sudduth came up with the name Rise, something borrowed from a favorite album of the time.

It was at the June Rock Camp, 2014, that Rise was introduced to the world. Eclipse (originally called Treble) followed them later that year. A year later, in 2015, the Junior Bands, Unveiled and Fearless started, followed by Transcend, Revolution, and finally, Tribute.

We learned a lot from Rise. Sometimes, we wish we could go back in time and apologize for some of the learning. We were figuring things out right along with them, learning by trial and error how to run a successful band program when no one else had a program quite like ours. In the end, Rise paved a path for so many others.

Under the long-time leadership of Brayden Sudduth and Jake Lanni, Rise came to embody professionalism, a positive attitude, and musical excellence. Brayden and Jake stayed with Rise until their graduation in 2017. The band folded shortly after and has been on hiatus since.

When it became time to add a second Showcase Band back into the Music Authority program, it was Brayden and Jake's decision to retire Rise permanently. The memories and experiences the members of that band had will last them a lifetime. It is time to pass the torch to a new, younger group of up and coming musicians.

Music Authority will forever be grateful for the years Rise gave to us. We will be grateful for the thirteen young musicians who were part of the program.

Thank you, Rise, for being a bright star. Thank you for inspiring the young musicians behind you. Thank you for teaching us how to be leaders, thank you for dignity, commitment, and your musicianship. Because of you, students today have a path to follow and a dream to aspire to. You will forever be part of our history and our legacy.

Rise will be officially retired on July 12, 2019, at the beginning of the second Rock Camp concert of the summer. It seems fitting as their first performance was at a Rock Camp show.

Melissa A. Loggins, Owner

#MusicAuthorityFamily
#beyondthemusic

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Dean Bass Guitars

New Dean bass guitars arrived in a variety of colors on April 12! Have your student learn a new instrument over the summer! (The best way to get more stage time is to learn bass; MA's performance programs are always looking for more bass players!)

Try a bass today at Music Authority!

Instructor Spotlight: Matthew Luce

Versed in all things theatrical, Matthew has been acting in plays and musicals throughout the Atlanta metro area for over 10 years. After realizing his passion for the performing arts, he attended Reinhardt University and graduated cum laude in 2016 with a BFA in Music Theatre.

Matthew believes music is an art accessible to all, and strives to bring this gift to anyone willing to learn. His overall ideology is "the music begins where the words fail to express emotion."

Rock Camp, Jr. - More Spaces Available

Summer camp at Music Authority is filling up! Rock Camp, Jr. has been so popular that we've decided to open additional spots.

We are extending our maximum capacity for Rock Camp Jr. from 12 students to 20 by adding Lauren Isenberg as a second instructor.

Rock Camp, Jr. is a fun opportunity for your student to try out different instruments, learn about music, and play in a band with little or no experience.

Sign up your 5-10 year old today!