friends

Hello and welcome to my slice of web heaven.  This site is intended to inform current and prospective students and their families about Switzer Music Studios.

Switzer Music studios has a limited number of openings for Private Study.  Click “contact” above and send an email for more information.

Here and now

I have been the jazz band director at Borel Middle School since 2001, and am completing my first year as the jazz instructor at Aragon.  The Borel Jazz Band was selected to participate in the 2009 Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival, the 2009 National PTA Convention, won their division at the Fullerton Jazz Festival in 2007 and was the featured musical group at the National Elementary School Principal’s Convention at Moscone Center in 2004.

Into the evermore

I have carried private students consistently since 1995.  Most students who study with me enjoy an enhanced musical education, discovering and participating in advanced groups and ensembles.  In 2008 four seniors graduated from the studio.  All four received significant music scholarship for college.  Since 2002 I have worked with 10 graduating seniors, all 10 of whom went on to play in college - many with scholarship - either at The New School in New York City (2), NYU, Indiana University, UCLA, full ride to Long Beach State, in the Stanford Jazz Band, in the Cal Symphony Orchestra at UC Berkeley, as an Ethnomusicology major at UCLA, or in the UC Davis Marching Band.

a simple Mission Statement

A progressive course of study is specifically tailored to the interests and goals of each individual student.  Jazz players receive instruction focused on improvisation and chord structure while classical players are trained in repertoire and interpretation.  No matter what the style - technique, musicianship and thoughtful home practice are the key elements developed during private study.

Player... Play on

Playing trumpet has taken me to Madison Square Garden with Muse.  I’ve also played with Peter Cetera, Joan Rivers, the Stanford Symphony Orchestra, on O.A.R.’s album “Stories of a Stranger” and with O.A.R. at the Warfield.  I perform regularly with my own jazz quartet the Legend Players, hip-hoppers The Park, indie-art circus troupe “Vau de Vire”, The Mountain Play,  reggae all-stars Native Elements and several salsa bands.  I’ve been playing in the CSM Monday Night Band since 2001 and plan on continuing to do so until I either move or die of old age.  Extreme old age.

back in the day

I went to UC Berkeley for two years and then transfered to UCLA where I graduated with a degree in music - Jazz Performance and Music Education.  As an undergraduate at UCLA I ran an elementary school band in Compton, taught violin to fourth graders in Beverly Hills, trumpet at a high school in South Central Los Angeles, piano lessons at the Playboy Mansion to Hugh Hefner’s sons, and private trombone lessons to a homeless guy.

   

Home Sweet Home

Upon returning to the Bay Area I have worked as a full time teacher in the Millbrae, Brisbane and San Mateo-Foster City school districts and as a brass coach at both Burlingame and Hillsdale high schools.  I have also directed rehearsals for the College of San Mateo Tuesday night jazz band.