Somers Rockers Make Music on the House at the School of Rock

One great show can change the world, according to Jack Black in the School of Rock. Maybe, but without a doubt, the world Andrew Tatela lived in changed when he first performed live. “Once I played in front of a crowd, that was it,” said the Somers High School senior, and with a group of fellow Tuskers, they’re making a mark with our own School of Rock in Bedford.

Along with Mikey Abrams, Taylor Bassi and Jake Mohan, they are part of the select few in the music school’s house band. 18 all together, this Somers quartet recently were did their part in Progressive Rock show that took place at Mt. Kisco’s Spins in early February. “For there or four months, kids learn songs from a particular theme, and the most recent one was prog rock,” said Tatela. “Yes, Rush, Genesis - one of the most challenging shows they offer because the music is filled with odd time signatures, some dense vocal harmonies and other difficult parts.”

Nonetheless, Tatela’s beginning in music began - so to speak - a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. His music teacher exhaled the Star Wars theme on a Euphonium, which is like a mini tuba. “That’s awesome,” he recalled. “I’m going to play the Euphonium.”

Of course, the dark side eventually had its way. “The guitar, it’s a better look than the Euphonium,” Tatela joked.

The same goes when his long curly hair flails about, but the Beatles had a say too. “Yellow Submarine, I watched that over and over,” Tatela said. “All those songs got me into the music I like.”

All together now, he joined the School of Rock five years ago and believes his game has elevated because of the school’s double edged approach. He first admits that the school’s emphasis on "accuracy to the recordings” can sacrifice the key component of improvisation.

On the other hand, the requirement has made him much more detail orientated. “It really helps a musician to listen and use their ear to really hear a song,” he said, because there’s so much more to a song than just chords, the guitarist added.

Vocals for one and lead singer Taylor Bassi can cite the growth the School of Rock has given her. “When I first started performing, I would stand on the stage and look at the ground,” said Bassi.

Sort of hiding behind the mic, now she’s really out front. “The school has made me a much better singer, and I’ve become much more confident,” said Bassi.

Left commanding the stage at this point, the lesson plan hones the intricacies. Elevating her knowledge of music theory, the curriculum has facilitated her ability to match vocal tones to specific songs, determine how to manipulate voice by shaping the mouth and then executing the proper enunciation of vowels and dictum. “We put a lot of thought into what we are singing,” Bassi assured.

She definitely reaped the reward at Spins, and while any audience elevates, a crowd packed mostly with her music peers struck a chord. “When you have a room full of musicians, they appreciate it fully, and we performed really well,” she said.

Unfortunately, Somers has really not joined the right brain party, and the junior points to last year’s Battle of the Bands concert that was mostly comprised of the arts community. “You’d be surprised how many creative people are at the school,” Bassi boasted.

Just not highlighted, she lamented. But Jake Mohan just goes about his business on the drums and is proud of his progress. “Last year, I didn’t make the house band,” he said. “But this year I did and it means a lot.”

Drumming since he was very young and always dabbing with other instruments, his musical process is a bit like sounding it out. “I pickup stuff in my ear,” the senior said. “That’s how I learn music.”

Either way, Mohan bangs the drum to the influence of Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana and the Foo Fighters and credits the School of Rock for upping his ability to communicate with the band.

Visual cues a big part for most, he doesn’t have the luxury. “I’m blind. So instead of looking at each other, it’s listening and going off each other to return the song,” said Mohan. “For example, if a guitar changes to a different series of notes, I know we’re in a different section of the song.”

Overall visibility, on the other hand, has made a big difference. He’s put himself out there and the results speak for themself. “I heard about the school of rock, I tried it and the next thing I know, I’m playing music all over the place with different people.”

Mikey Abrams is one of those and has been at it since he was four. The piano at first, he eventually opted to go upright. “I discovered the guitar,” remembered Abrams.

Tuned in, he joined the school six years ago, and the emphasis on skills put him over the threshold and into the house band. From there, students have to practice at least one a week for three hours to prepare for the seasonal shows. “It was a good crowd,” he said of Spins. “We got on stage and played our songs. Everybody enjoyed it.”

Realistically, he has no big dreams of being a rock star, and not just because of the long shot involved. “There’s just pop stars now,” Abrams clarified.

Music will be part of his life nonetheless. He’ll continue to play and hopes to do something related to music teaching. Taylor, Andrew and Jake are similarly grounded, and intend to have music revolve around more typical day jobs.

But while they are all still here, Somers should see and hear what they are missing, because in this venue, there’s no way to lose.

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