Side Street Sounds
- STEVE WEST
The Next Generation of Musicians
For 20 years, Geoff Clough organized and ran a free keyboard camp for Livingston County youths. Eleven years ago, he asked me to join him and offer guitar lessons. The costs were covered by a grant from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, and the Good Neighbor Committee of the Geneseo Rotary Club. Those who didn’t have their own instruments are given the use of a loaner keyboard or guitar. Through the years, hundreds of children participated in the six weeks long camp, giving them opportunities to learn how to play keyboard or guitar.
Traditionally, at the end of the camp, a recital is held for family and friends, so the participants can show off what they’ve accomplished.
Last year at the end of camp, Geoff announced that it would be his last. He and his wife were moving out of the area to care for a sick relative. Geoff handled so much of the administrative duties associated with the camp, from writing the grant application to securing locations to hold the camp, to printing and distributing applications, to scheduling the campers, and organizing the recital, not to mention teaching keyboard. Although I’ve been teaching the guitar portion of camp, I frankly just didn’t have the time to take over. It seemed as if keyboard camp had seen its final year.
Heather Ferrero’s daughters have participated in Keyboard camp for several years. She decided that it was too important, not only to her own family, but to the families of the other children, to let it come to an end. She contacted Geoff and learned what needed to be done in order to secure the necessary grants. She worked with the Geneseo Rotary to help administer the grants and scheduled two six-week sessions – one at the Firehouse Youth Center in Mt. Morris, and the other at the Goodwill Community Room in Geneseo. Amy Sauter, a longtime piano teacher from Hemlock, was brought onboard to run the keyboard side of camp, and I was happy to once again give guitar lessons. The camp was a great success, culminating in a recital at St. Timothy’s Church in Geneseo on August 10.
One of my favorite sayings is, “music will always find a way to be heard.” Starting the next generation of musicians on their journey of music appreciation is just too important to let it fall silent. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, that journey continues.
