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October Music Student of the Month

We are pleased to introduce you to our October Music Student of the Month, Jacob Rismay! His passion for music and his incredible work ethic are truly inspiring!

Jacob began playing the trumpet when he enrolled in the Music Matters program at the Rawson School in the fall of 2016. This comprehensive after-school program is held Monday through Thursday for the school year, from 4:30 to 6:00. Music Matters is run by Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford. Jacob is now in his third year with the program, which focuses on traditional and contemporary band music, note reading, and music basics. The Rawson School offered no instrumental music prior to Music Matters, so he would not have had the chance to play music without this opportunity.

Jacob is also in his third year playing with Charter Oak's community brass band, led by the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. This ensemble is based on the New Orleans jazz tradition, so Jacob is also improving his improvisation, call and response, and listening skills.

Jacob's favorite style of music to play is jazz, and he is happiest when he can play along with his friends. His favorite part of the program is learning new songs. Jacob says that he still finds learning music challenging. He overcomes these roadblocks by practicing and learning new notes. Jacob hopes to someday be a famous professional musician. He says that the Music Matters program helps him to continue to be his best, because it focuses on the fundamentals. Since learning music, Jacob says that he is now more observant of sounds and music around him. Music has changed his life. In his final comments, Jacob said, "This is a great program that teaches you to play very well!"

Keep up the great work, Jacob!