by Austin C.
In a few weeks, school days at The Family Foundation School won’t be quite so quiet as the hallways will be filled with the sound of music. For the first time in the school’s history, FFS is offering individualized music lessons for the students.
Paul Geer, Music Department Director of FFS, is giving lessons for any instrument the student wishes to learn. This includes voice, piano, guitar, drums, trumpet, violin, etc.
Geer began his music career getting involved in his high school band and playing cello in his community’s orchestra. His formal music training began at Broome Community College in the music department, then he continued his music education at The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he received his bachelor’s degree.
“In order to get a degree one must show proficiency in voice and in all brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion instruments, and guitar,” Geer explained. “The school’s approach is holistic and intense.”
Geer graduated as a keyboard specialist or piano major. He also has taken graduate level courses in music history and repertoire.
He is now a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the New York State School Music Association, and the American Choral Directors Association. Geer was listed in 2007’s Who’s Who in America: Distinguished Americans.
Geer is offering three different levels of lessons for each instrument—beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Lessons are offered once a week. The lessons will most likely be given to at least two students at a time. The students will be learning at the same level for the same instrument.
At the end of each semester Geer will put together a recital for the students.
Lessons are open to everybody. All a student needs to qualify is an expressed interest, parental permission, and Family Leader approval.
There is a six-week commitment. If students decide the lessons aren’t for them after the first six weeks, they have the option of stopping.
Tom Kovaleski, Chairman of the performing arts department, said, “I think it’s wonderful that we are adding a new and necessary addition to the performing arts department. This will create new opportunities for students in so many areas of the performing arts as well as continuing to add to one’s own technique and performance capabilities. This will definitely add more life to the department.”
