Friday, September 21, 2012

MATC Music Occupations Program Success Stories - Brian Morrison

It was in fall of 2005 when I stumbled upon a path that would change my life forever. Young and fresh out of high school I enrolled at MATC with little to no direction in my life. I signed up for mostly general classes focused towards an associate’s degree in the health field, following advice my grandfather had suggested. Since I have had diabetes since the age of 6, I figured this was the right choice for me. Besides these general classes, I signed up for a few elective classes, all mostly in the music department, since music had always been an exciting extracurricular activity I had always enjoyed. Besides, you know what they say about all work and no play? I figured a few classes I really enjoyed would keep me attending school and, more importantly, not become overwhelmed by the stress of science classes needed for a degree in health care, a subject I neither enjoyed nor thrived in.  Although, at this point I had very little formal music training and my sight reading skills were ill to none. But that’s ok, these classes were just for fun and nothing would ever come of them. Little did I know how life changing this would become, and how a whole career could arise from these classes.
Fun, yes. Easy, well, let’s just say I never worked so hard in my life. The fact I had no previous training sure did make things a lot harder for me. But that was just it. The MATC Music department started at the basics and went up from there, taking every individual student and assessing them at their own skill levels, challenging each one, while supporting and motivating them to grow into not only a better musician, but a better person. And that’s just it, motivation. The community of hard working, dream aspiring musicians, along with the dedicated and extremely talented professors provided an atmosphere that anyone can become attached to. I looked forward to going to school every morning. Showing up bright and early when the doors to the practice rooms opened and often staying until the last class of the afternoon let out, I found myself working harder then I could ever imagine just because of the positive atmosphere around me.  Every day I felt as if I had learned something great and left with a wonderful feeling about what I was doing with my life. The teachers really cared about my success and it seemed like there was always someone there to help and give me guidance. I don’t think I realized it until after I graduated, but I was building relationships and learning skills that would stay with me far longer than just my time in school. These friendships and skills paved the way for my future and made me largely the person I am today.
By the time I left MATC in 2008 I had the self esteem and knowledge needed to succeed as a working musician in the real world. No longer were the walls of the schools needed as a security blanket, but instead I knew it was time for all my hard work to pay off.  I now have the skills to go out and find work. I am playing with several groups in the Milwaukee area and teaching students from time to time making a decent living. I plan to return to school and get a bachelors degree, but this time around I know that because of MATC Music I will have a steady foundation to build off of. Although I have a long way to go, I consider myself successful. Success is how you look at it.  Thanks to MATC Music I have built a life for myself I really love and enjoy. Every day brings a new challenge but I feel as though I am prepared to take on whatever challenges life as a musician has to offer me.

Friday, September 14, 2012

MATC Music Occupations Program Success Stories - Mark Mrozek

Mark Mrozek is a lifetime resident of the Milwaukee area. Mark is a graduate of MATC, with an Associate’s Degree in Music Occupations as well as Carroll University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Mark spent 12 years teaching High School and Middle School music, first for MPS and then for the Dodgeland School system in Juneau, WI. Mark currently resides in Menomonee Falls and is a music/activity therapist for the residents of The Courtyards at Luther Manor. By night he is a freelance musician, a Music Director for the Musician’s union at Festa Italiana, and runs BtW productions (a company that supplies Bands, musicians, and technical assistance to those that need it). Mark enjoyed his time at MATC music greatly and credits Jack Grassel, Terry Smirl, Tom McGirr and Gene Morisette for supplying him with the information and skills he needed to become a successful professional musician in the Milwaukee Area.


Friday, April 6, 2012

MATC Music Occupations Program - Success Stories - Bill Eastep

My MATC Music story starts when I was recording an album with Kirk Tatnall in 1989. During the mixdown, we were listening to one of the songs and Kirk played some really cool implied passing chord type stuff, which just blew my mind. I asked Kirk, "What chords did you play", and he told me. I tried to comprehend what he just said, but his music theory was MUCH stronger than mine. Then I asked Kirk, "Wow, where did you learn that?" and he said..."MATC"! At that moment that I knew I had to go to MATC to learn what he had learned. I enrolled in the Music Occupations Associate Degree Program. My favorite instructors were Jack Grassel, Jerome Spencer, Harold Miller, and Berkley Fudge.  Studying at MATC was absolutely invaluable to both my own personal musical growth and my career. I not only learned more than I could have imagined from the teachers, but learned a lot from my fellow students as well (Ben Hans, David Robinson, Cory Coleman and more). There are other music programs and instructors, but MATC is a real musical community, and it was pure joy to be there.

In January 2012, I drove 20 hrs straight to Fargo, North Dakota from my home in Tennessee and joined The Great Outdoors band. Last year I had a BLAST playing in two EXCELLENT blues bands, Cee Cee James and Reverend Zack.  My family is still in TN, which leaves me quite lonely, but thanks to Skype and a $10 webcam, we do get to see each other.

I'm staying busy on the road. My second album is going to be an all blues album, which is 75% written. I'm writing in my spare time, or as inspiration strikes. I'm in a terrific band, no one tells me what to do, or how to play, or what to sound like. I just get to do my own thing. Everybody Wins!


                 Primary website:
http://www.billeastep.net

                 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/william.eastep

                 Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebilleastepband

                 Current band schedule:http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/the-great-outdoors-band/shows/

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

MATC Music Promotional Video

Check out this recent student generated video promoting MATC Music.
Thanks Morgan!