Now is a good time for youngsters to get into music.
So says Timothy Saffold, a long-time guitar player and one of the many talented instructors of the inaugural Southside Community Music Program on Tuesday.
At the start-up meeting for the free program at Southside Christian Church, 314 Locust Ave., Manteca, he told the group age 10 and older: “You never know where (music) will take you.”
Saffold has been playing the guitar since he was 4. He performs various genre of music – Gospel, blues, and country, to name a few – and taught the daughter of Rev. Quincy McClain, pastor of the Southside church, how to play the instrument.
“Tim is as true blue as they come,” she said.
Pastor Quincy as she’s called is hoping that the program will bring families together.
“Our motto is ‘The community that plays together, stays together – Keep the music alive,’” she said.
Her church is providing the venue for the program – or Season No. 1, as Pastor Quincy puts it – that is scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., from now through November.
Those interested will receive lessons from experienced musicians such as Brian Beeken (horns), Gregg Landrey (drums), Jerel Ellison (piano / organ), and Tim Rued (strings).
Beeken, who plays the saxophone, trombone, clarinet, and flute, was once a touring musician and former music teacher in Southern California. “I played (in venues) in all 50 states,” he said.
Landrey, 43, received his first drum kit at age 4 and has been actively playing since he was 13.
“I’m a working musician but, in my spare time, I’m a cable guy,” said Landrey, who currently plays the drum for two bands.
Ellison took up the piano when he was 13 and, by the time he was 15, was the organist at his church. He performed classical and showed his ability to improvise in the playing of “Amazing Grace” on the piano.
Rued is a fiddler, and was self-taught in playing the stringed instrument.
“In turn, I’ve taught many, many people,” he said.
The music director for the Southside Community program is Slav Polovin, who recently earned a degree in Composition / Music Technology from California State University, Stanislaus. He also performs with the Modesto Symphony Chorus.
Slav was born and raised in the Ukraine during the days of the Soviet Union, and was one of 11 children from a musical family.
He is quick to take to playing various instruments – Slav dazzled the group with his performance on the piano – learning by ear.
He and his wife Natalia moved to the U.S. just a few days shy of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“We’re very fortunate to have Slav working for us,” Pastor Quincy said.
She noted that the program was built on four pillars: Singing, performing, instructing and learning.
Derek Free, who is a 2006 graduate of Manteca High, was encouraged to attend the kick-off function by a member of the Southside church.
He’s been playing the guitar for eight months, but developed his technique of finger-picking and strumming. “I’ve never been comfortable using a (guitar) pick,” he said.
An aspiring solo artist, Free took to the instrument as an outlet following some tough times in his life.
“I don’t do cover. I do my music,” said Free, who is looking forward to being involved in the music program.
Pastor Quincy added that requirements for becoming part of the program is the love for music, completion of an enrollment application, attend the practices / rehearsals twice monthly (second and fourth Tuesday), and participate in the performances.
She was grateful for the recent donation of musical instruments. Included was a piano, several guitars, drums, viola and flute.
“The Southside Community Music Program has a mission to get our youngsters involved in positive activities, connect them with community resources, and build skills that they’ll possess for the rest of their lives,” Pastor Quincy said.
For more information, call 209-275-2154 or e-mail q.mcclain@comcast.net.
So says Timothy Saffold, a long-time guitar player and one of the many talented instructors of the inaugural Southside Community Music Program on Tuesday.
At the start-up meeting for the free program at Southside Christian Church, 314 Locust Ave., Manteca, he told the group age 10 and older: “You never know where (music) will take you.”
Saffold has been playing the guitar since he was 4. He performs various genre of music – Gospel, blues, and country, to name a few – and taught the daughter of Rev. Quincy McClain, pastor of the Southside church, how to play the instrument.
“Tim is as true blue as they come,” she said.
Pastor Quincy as she’s called is hoping that the program will bring families together.
“Our motto is ‘The community that plays together, stays together – Keep the music alive,’” she said.
Her church is providing the venue for the program – or Season No. 1, as Pastor Quincy puts it – that is scheduled to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., from now through November.
Those interested will receive lessons from experienced musicians such as Brian Beeken (horns), Gregg Landrey (drums), Jerel Ellison (piano / organ), and Tim Rued (strings).
Beeken, who plays the saxophone, trombone, clarinet, and flute, was once a touring musician and former music teacher in Southern California. “I played (in venues) in all 50 states,” he said.
Landrey, 43, received his first drum kit at age 4 and has been actively playing since he was 13.
“I’m a working musician but, in my spare time, I’m a cable guy,” said Landrey, who currently plays the drum for two bands.
Ellison took up the piano when he was 13 and, by the time he was 15, was the organist at his church. He performed classical and showed his ability to improvise in the playing of “Amazing Grace” on the piano.
Rued is a fiddler, and was self-taught in playing the stringed instrument.
“In turn, I’ve taught many, many people,” he said.
The music director for the Southside Community program is Slav Polovin, who recently earned a degree in Composition / Music Technology from California State University, Stanislaus. He also performs with the Modesto Symphony Chorus.
Slav was born and raised in the Ukraine during the days of the Soviet Union, and was one of 11 children from a musical family.
He is quick to take to playing various instruments – Slav dazzled the group with his performance on the piano – learning by ear.
He and his wife Natalia moved to the U.S. just a few days shy of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“We’re very fortunate to have Slav working for us,” Pastor Quincy said.
She noted that the program was built on four pillars: Singing, performing, instructing and learning.
Derek Free, who is a 2006 graduate of Manteca High, was encouraged to attend the kick-off function by a member of the Southside church.
He’s been playing the guitar for eight months, but developed his technique of finger-picking and strumming. “I’ve never been comfortable using a (guitar) pick,” he said.
An aspiring solo artist, Free took to the instrument as an outlet following some tough times in his life.
“I don’t do cover. I do my music,” said Free, who is looking forward to being involved in the music program.
Pastor Quincy added that requirements for becoming part of the program is the love for music, completion of an enrollment application, attend the practices / rehearsals twice monthly (second and fourth Tuesday), and participate in the performances.
She was grateful for the recent donation of musical instruments. Included was a piano, several guitars, drums, viola and flute.
“The Southside Community Music Program has a mission to get our youngsters involved in positive activities, connect them with community resources, and build skills that they’ll possess for the rest of their lives,” Pastor Quincy said.
For more information, call 209-275-2154 or e-mail q.mcclain@comcast.net.
