Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Peter Senchuk, who directs both our Elemental Band and Academy Philharmonic ensembles. As the director of two different programs, Peter gets to know more Elemental Music families than almost anyone else on staff! We thought it was only fair that you get to know him, too. Read on to learn the first instrument he ever played (hint: it’s not what you think…), his background as a composer, his advice as a parent of a young musician, and more!
Elemental Music: How did you first get started in music?
Peter Senchuk: I actually started playing violin when I was 5 years old. I can’t remember why, but my parents said I wanted to play violin. I played violin until grade 6, which is when you start band in elementary school in Canada, and then I switched to trombone. My music teacher played a recording of the Tonight Show Big Band, and I was blown away. That night I went home and told my parents I wanted to switch to an instrument that could play in the big band.
The second movement of Peter’s flute sonata (Part II: Exuberantly) performed by Alice Jones, flute, and Derin Oge, piano, in New York.
EM: In addition to being a teacher, conductor, and performer, you’re also an accomplished composer. When did you first start writing your own music?
PS: I started composing in high school. My band teacher in high school, Sheilagh Householder, was really great and she let me arrange and compose for our jazz band. When I went to university, I started as a jazz studies major and was in the Jazztet as a freshman. One of the unique features of the Jazztet was that all the writing for the group was done by the members, so I got thrown into the deep end and had to do a lot of writing. I eventually changed to a double major adding composition as well.
EM: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music?
PS: This is my ninth year with Elemental Music. I started as the low brass coach for Elemental Band, before becoming director. Then I added my Academy Philharmonic role when we started that program.
EM: You direct two ensembles for us - Elemental Band and Academy Philharmonic. What are your favorite things about each of those groups?
PS: My favorite thing about the two ensembles I direct is really the same thing - giving our students a new and exciting experience that they don’t receive in their school music programs. For our Elemental Band students, this is their first chance to play in a full concert band with all the instruments. In school, they are grouped by instruments in band class, so the opportunity to play with all the other wind and percussion instruments is really fun and exciting. Much the same way, Academy Philharmonic is the first time our middle school students have a chance to play in a full symphony orchestra, with strings, woodwinds and brass. This also allows us to program a wider variety of music and give students their first opportunity to play music from the full orchestral repertoire.
EM: Academy Philharmonic is Elemental Music’s full orchestra for advanced middle school students. Why do you think it’s important for middle schoolers to have the opportunity to play in a full orchestra setting?
PS: Any time students get the experience of playing in different ensembles it helps broaden their musicianship. It also really helps prepare them for playing in an orchestra at the high school level. Playing in a concert band or string orchestra is a very different experience than playing in a full symphony orchestra where students learn how the sound of the different instrument families blend together.
EM: You’re also the parent of a young musician. Do you have any tips for parents on how to help their children practice at home?
PS: I think some of the best advice I would have would be to help their young musician find the space and time to practice. Being a good musician takes a lot of work, and I know that when I was in elementary and middle school, practicing wasn’t always the first thing I wanted to do. So, helping your student set up a practice schedule and find a place where they can practice at home is really important! Another thing is to give them the opportunity to listen to and experience a wide variety of different types of music, whether that’s going to a concert or listening to music at home.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
PS: Just keep working and enjoy where you are at in the journey. A lot of times I see students get too caught up in where they stack up against other students. Learning a musical instrument is a long process, and if they really love playing, and put in the work, they will get to where they want to in the end.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
PS: My music is published by Theodore Presser, and Carl Fisher Music. I also manage my son’s Pony League baseball team!