{"id":210857,"date":"2025-03-13T10:48:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/?p=210857"},"modified":"2025-03-13T10:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:48:14","slug":"tops-in-music-how-does-montclair-state-university-attract-world-class-musicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2025\/03\/13\/tops-in-music-how-does-montclair-state-university-attract-world-class-musicians\/","title":{"rendered":"Tops in Music: How Does ÌÇÐÄvlog Attract World-Class Musicians?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When saxophonist Will Travis was auditioning for music schools, one of the things that stood out about ÌÇÐÄvlog was its record of drawing renowned jazz artists like<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/11\/02\/lessons-from-a-jazz-master\/\">\u00a0Christian McBride<\/a>\u00a0and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2021\/11\/11\/wynton-marsalis-master-class\/\">\u00a0Wynton Marsalis<\/a>\u00a0to work with music majors. That was a key factor in his decision to enroll in Montclair\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/\">\u00a0John J. Cali School of Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"prpl-band-content\">\n<article class=\"news-article\">\u201cI auditioned for probably about eight or nine schools, and this is the one that really stuck with me,\u201d said Travis, who is from Maine and now a sophomore Jazz Studies major. Once on campus, he wondered if Montclair would continue to host high-caliber artists. \u201cThey\u2019ve continued to deliver. They brought in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patmetheny.com\/\">\u00a0Pat Metheny<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/12\/13\/legendary-trumpeter-arturo-sandoval-delivers-lessons-on-music-life\/\">Arturo Sandoval<\/a>\u00a0last year,\u201d he said.So how does Montclair attract world-class musicians? Through the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/cali-residency\/\">\u00a0Cali Immersive Residency Program<\/a>, started by Cali School of Music Director Anthony Mazzocchi, now in its fourth year.\u00a0 The program provides students with opportunities to learn from and collaborate with world-class solo artists and ensembles. The school\u2019s proximity to New York, a cultural capital only 12 miles from campus, as well as faculty who are working music professionals makes it advantageous in attracting diverse talent to work with Cali students.<\/p>\n<p>Metheny, an internationally renowned jazz guitarist with more than 20 Grammy Awards in 12 different categories, is the latest in a line of legendary musicians to engage with Cali students through the program.<\/p>\n<h2>Benefits of the Cali Immersive Residency Program for Students<\/h2>\n<p>Montclair\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/cali-residency\/\">\u00a0Immersive Residency Program<\/a>\u00a0provides students with invaluable opportunities to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Connect with and learn from the visiting artists in a more intimate setting.<\/li>\n<li>Gain insight into the artist\u2019s journey and receive mentorship that can shape their careers.<\/li>\n<li>Benefit from exposure to the diverse range of artists, covering different areas like brass, vocals and composition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Montclair\u2019s Cali School Hits the Right Notes<\/h2>\n<p>Metheny had high praise for Montclair and the Cali School: \u201cThe whole program, every aspect of the school, is absolutely incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite dropping out of high school, Metheny became the youngest music teacher ever at the University of Miami at 18 and at Berklee College of Music in Boston at 19. During his residency, he emphasized the importance of music education. \u201cI think that it\u2019s incredibly useful for talented musicians to go to school,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"prpl-row\">\n<div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021825_101875_Cali-Pat-Metheny_MP.jpg.3.2x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"A student wearing glasses holds his hand under his chin in a class.\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021825_101875_Cali-Pat-Metheny_MP.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Violist and Music Education major Denton Moreland takes in every word of wisdom from Pat Metheny during the Cali Conversations. (Photo by Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<p>Levi Taple, a first-year graduate student studying jazz guitar, also chose Montclair in part because of the residency program. Taple, who is from Minneapolis and earned his undergraduate degree at Michigan State, admires Metheny\u2019s mastery on guitar. He was thrilled to work closely with the jazz giant during his residency, particularly in a guitar master class.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a guitar player, it\u2019s been cool to observe his artistry and control of his instrument,\u201d Taple said. \u201cHe\u2019s been kind, sharing his tips and tricks and giving me advice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Taple, who has an assistantship at Montclair, teaches at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, an organization founded by Grammy-winning jazz musician, composer and producer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/11\/02\/lessons-from-a-jazz-master\/\">Christian McBride<\/a>, a former Cali artist in residence.<\/p>\n<p>Travis, who performed some Metheny songs for Metheny with the Big Band Ensemble, was grateful for the experience. \u201cA lot of the players that got to play were more experienced than I was, so it was cool to be able to play for him,\u201d he said. \u201cHe had us rerun the tune a couple times, and every single time it just sounded better.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/Pat-Metheny-IMR-2-18-2025-587-1.jpg.4.2x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny performs with bass player Drew Tyson, a high school student.\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/Pat-Metheny-IMR-2-18-2025-587-1.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bass player Drew Tyson, a 10th-grader from the Paterson Music Project and member of the Cali Pathways Program, performs with Pat Metheny. (Photo by Rob Davidson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Metheny\u2019s Surprising Advice<\/h2>\n<p>During his time at Montclair, Metheny shared one key piece of advice for young musicians: \u201cTry to be the worst person in the band. If you\u2019re the best person in the band, you\u2019re in the wrong band; get in another band. In other words, try to be around people who are better than you; that\u2019s been the key thing for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even when scouting for young talent, Metheny applies the same principle: \u201cI\u2019m always looking for guys who can do things that I can\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Montclair\u2019s Strengthening Reputation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"prpl-row\">\n<div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<p>Music students\u2019 enthusiasm for learning from professionals has played a role in the program\u2019s success, according to Associate Professor Kathryn Lockwood, who curates the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/cali-residency\/\">\u00a0Immersive Residency Program<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to get this interaction with upper-level artists. Montclair is gaining traction and an excellent reputation for providing a good experience for these Immersive Residency artists.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For the artists, the residency program provides a break from touring, allowing artists to give back and impact future talent. \u201cYou just never know the ripple effect of what you say to a young adult,\u201d said Lockwood.<\/p>\n<p>A few previous program participants include: Avery Fisher Prize-winning clarinetist<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/2020\/09\/15\/artist-in-residence-anthony-mcgill-receives-the-prestigious-avery-fisher-prize\/\">\u00a0Anthony McGill<\/a>, leading soloist and principal clarinet for the New York Philharmonic; artistic director and pianist<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/wuhan\/\">\u00a0Wu-Han<\/a>, Co-Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center;\u00a0 and electronic composer and Pulitzer Prize finalist\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/cali-residency\/\">Jlin<\/a>\u00a0(Jerrilin Patton), who has made the \u201cbest of\u201d lists in\u00a0<em>The New York Times<\/em>,\u00a0<em>Rolling Stone<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<em>Vogue<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021825_101861_Cali-Pat-Metheny_MP.jpg.2.2x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Three men onstage discuss a sheet of music projected overhead on a screen.\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021825_101861_Cali-Pat-Metheny_MP.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(L to R) Professors Oscar Perez and Alan Ferber discuss composition, theory and arranging with\u00a0Pat Metheny before an audience of students. (Photo by Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Next up,\u00a0 two-time GRAMMY-award-winning\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/cali-residency\/\">Attacca Quartet<\/a>\u00a0and Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano<a href=\"https:\/\/jnaibridges.com\/about\/\">\u00a0J\u2019Nai Bridges<\/a>, who was named one of the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/our-story\/social-impact\/next-50\/\">\u00a0Kennedy Center\u2019s NEXT 50<\/a>\u00a0cultural leaders in 2002 and has been described by BET as the \u201cBeyonce of the Opera,\u201d will visit Montclair and work with students in March.<\/p>\n<p>With the Immersive Residency Program continuing to attract top-tier talent, Montclair State\u2019s Cali School of Music is crystallizing its reputation as a premier destination for aspiring musicians.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021725_100271_Cali-Pat-Metheny-and-Billy-Hart_MP.jpg.4.2x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Pat Metheny and drummer Billy Hart perform onstage.\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/02\/021725_100271_Cali-Pat-Metheny-and-Billy-Hart_MP.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jazz masters Pat Metheny and Billy Hart, an adjunct professor at the Cali School, play for a sold out performance hall during Metheny\u2019s residency. (Photo by Mike Peters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Are you a\u2026<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Prospective Student \/ Parent<\/strong>: Learn more about the many music programs the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/\">\u00a0John J. Cali School of Music<\/a>\u00a0has to offer,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/visit-us\/\">\u00a0plan a visit<\/a>\u00a0to our campus or<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/apply-to-montclair-state\/\">\u00a0apply to become a Red Hawk<\/a>! For individual visits to the Cali School, call\u00a0<a href=\"tel:973-655-7610\" class=\"\"><span class=\"a11y-phone-number initialized\" aria-label=\"9 7 3 6 5 5 76 10 \">973-655-7610<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cali School of Music\u2019s Immersive Residency Program gives students valuable hands-on experience with Grammy-winning artists<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":210858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-210857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-153_music","category-news-and-announcements"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210857"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":210859,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210857\/revisions\/210859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}