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Kim Johnson ReportingThere's a music school in American Fork that some, like the trombonist for the legendary Rolling Stones, say is changing music education in this country.
When Caleb Chapman heard David Sanborn jam on the saxophone, a dream was born. It was a dream that brought Caleb from the East Coast to BYU's music program, and then on a daring venture in music education. It hasn't been easy, but after seven years, Caleb Chapman's dream of creating a Julliard or Berkley school of music for a community is finally a reality.
Caleb Chapman: "This is really the first school of its kind in the country where we try to replicate that experience for high school and Jr. high kids, but also adults that might have missed the experience."
More than a thousand students of all ages, even adults, now study at the school's new multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility. Whether they pursue classical, jazz, or rock, they work through a seven-year curriculum.
Caleb Chapman: "We modeled it after martial arts where you work through the belt system. The motivation is there for both the teachers and students to keep progressing."
Besides private instruction and theory classes, Chapman says the school gives students a chance to make music together.
Caleb Chapman: "There are literally hundreds of guitarists, drummers, base players. As part of the experience here we put them into bands. They're out playing shows. They open for national touring acts. We have our own concert venue here where they get to perform."
Chapman says Grammy winning artists, like Wycliff Gordon, who plays with Wynton Marsalis, frequently come in and teach.
Caleb Chapman, Founder, The Music School: "It's really incredible for these students to work side by side with these artists. That's something I didn't get the opportunity to do in my entire music career, not even in college."
Chapman believes those unique opportunities are, in part, why the school is turning out top caliber musicians, like the school's all star super jazz ensemble.
Caleb Chapman: "They were selected one of the top high school jazz bands in the world, and invited to play at the North Sea Jazz festival in the Netherlands. A lot of people in Utah don't realize this is happening in their own backyard."
But major players in the music industry are definitely taking "note." The Julliard School, for example, has recruited several of Chapman's students. While they're still at The Music School, students have to participate in their school bands and orchestras. Chapman plans to open another facility in the Salt Lake Valley in September.
