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Gene Ford Music...to be a Better Musician
By MELISSA WEBBCorrespondent
Music is an enrichment that feeds the soul. No one knows that better than the talented instructors at Gene Ford Music. The man of the hour, Gene Ford, and his wife Kimberly, opened the studio in Brentwood Place a little over two years ago.
 | Photo by Melissa Webb
Gene Ford, pictured above, who owns Gene Ford Music with his wife Kimberly.
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The convenient location and reputation of the studio as a premier instructional resource have propelled it to the forefront of the superb musical education opportunities Brentwood has to offer.
Seven studios at Gene Ford Music operate continuously with instructors offering individual lessons in guitar, bass, drums, keyboard/piano, voice, songwriting, Music Theory, digital recording and artist/genre appreciation. Mandolin and banjo instruction are among the studio’s offerings as well. Gene Ford Music has 13 instructors.
“We pride ourselves in the talent and professionalism of the teachers here,” said Ford. “We team up with teachers who are not only excellent musicians, but who also have the heart of a teacher. Instructors who are professional musicians and professional educators offer a rare combination that we are always looking for.
“We try to nurture a love of music for our beginning students and also challenge our more advanced students. Everyone here can take their students as far as they want to go in the music world.”
Gene Ford Music provides opportunities for the students to perform with two showcases per year. They also have band camps throughout the summer where the students learn to play in a band (think “rock band”). At the end of the week-long camp, each student receives a CD of their performance. During the month of January, the studio hosts “Friday Night Live” where students can showcase their talents without waiting for the bi-annual showcases.
Although Ford himself has a degree in Classical guitar, Gene Ford Music offers instruction in every genre of music.
“We can teach any style of music, including the music that kids are listening to,” Ford explained.
“When parents ask us what kind of musical training they should start their kids in, we ask them what they were listening to with them on their drive to the studio. The music that kids enjoy listening to is a good indicator of the music they will enjoy playing. The love of something is what gives you the discipline to do it. That is why we teach our students without a heavy-handed approach. Our idea is to do our best day-by-day to give them a love of music. This is an encouraging place.”
Music lessons of any style can provide students with so much more than just learning an instrument. Studies have shown that music lessons are invaluable in building self-esteem and enhancing math and other academic skills. E. Glenn Schellenberg of the University of Toronto at Mississauga reported that after weekly training in piano or voice, new research showed such students’ IQ’s rose nearly three points more than their untrained peers.
University studies conducted in Georgia and Texas found significant correlations between the number of years of instrumental music instruction and academic achievement in math, science and language arts. Similarly, middle school and high school students who participated in instrumental music scored significantly higher than their non-band peers in standardized tests, according to a study by the University of Sarasota.
Lewis Thomas, a physician and biologist, conducted a study of undergraduate majors of medical school applicants and found that music majors were the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. Thomas found that 66 percent of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. By comparison, only 44 percent of biochemistry majors were admitted.
“The love of music can take you anywhere you want to go in life,” said Ford. “That is why it is our mission to provide students with the best available instructors that know how to kindle a passion for music and encourage the commitment to succeed with the instrument of choice.”
Gene Ford Music is located at 330 Franklin Road in Brentwood, in the Brentwood Place shopping center. For more information about Gene Ford Music, visit the Web site: www.genefordmusic.com or call: 615-371-1661.
Gene Ford’s tips for encouraging love and appreciation of music
1. Have music playing around the house.
2. Take children to live musical performances.
3. Have musical instruments around the house.
4. Encourage games that can give kids an interest in music even technology related.
5. Remember that your idea of what is good music and your child’s idea may be different. Try to embrace the genre of music that they like.
6. Remember, it is never too late to get involved in music. Professional music instruction is for every age!
Correspondent Melissa Webb can be reached at melw@charterinternet.com.
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blake wrote on Dec 16, 2008 4:20 PM: