Sterling Music Exchange

Guitarist Reaching Out Through Music - April 2, 2007

2007-06-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

'Step Up to Music' program provides severly depressed kids with guitars, lessons. Sentinel & Enterprise - by J.J. Huggins

Pete Cormier has been playing the guitar for 40 years, and he wants to spread his love of music to local kids he feels could use something positive in their lives. Cormier, 53, of Sterling, has started a new program to give guitars and guitar lessons to kids dealing with depression. Getting kids with psychological problems to learn how to play music can help break them out of isolation and build their self esteem, Cormier said. “Music, to me, builds community,” he said during a recent interview. “By definition, you can’t keep it enclosed. You strum a guitar…sooner or later someone pokes their head around the corner.”

Cormier founded a non-profit group called Sterling Music Exchange in 2004. The group books concerts around the region and gives people of all ages a chance to play in front of an audience. Cormier and his fellow volunteers are now contacting social service agencies in the Fitchburg-Leominster area about his new project. He wants to find kids between the ages of 12 and 18 dealing with depression that are interested in learning how to play the guitar.

The program, called “Step Up to Music,” will provide kids with an acoustic guitar and eight lessons. They will take one lesson per week for eight weeks. The kids don’t have to pay to participate. The only thing they have to do is agree to practice and take care of the guitar, Cormier said. If they do that, they get to keep the guitar after they finish taking the lessons.“Taking and playing an instrument is tough,” Cormier said. “They’re expected to treat the instrument with care and they’re also expected to practice. So there’s a commitment they’re making.” Cormier is hoping the agencies will want to get involved with the program. Kids that are interested will have to fill out a one-page application saying why they want to learn to play an instrument, and if they think music is important.

Cormier’s goal is to get at least 20 kids involved this year, he said. The youngsters don’t have to be in a home, but “they have to be dealing with depression in some phase,” Cormier said. The point of teaching kids suffering from depression how to play the guitar is to make them feel like they are accomplishing something, let them have some fun and give them a creative outlet.

“We’re just teaching them that the guitar is a way they can express themselves. I find a lot of young-adults – it’s hard for them to express themselves,” Cormier said. Jamming is also “something that can occupy their time in a positive way” and a “coping mechanism that teenagers could use to build self-esteem,” he added. Cormier got the idea for the program about a year ago when the Sterling Music Exchange played a concert for some residents at a group home for kids in Marlborough, he said. "Two girls came up to me after and said, ‘Hey do you teach guitar lessons? We’d really like to learn,’” he said. “These kids, you talk to them, they’re normal kids who are just dealing with this debilitating disease."

Two girls from the home, ages 15 and 16, have since gone through the program, and two more are currently taking lessons, Cormier said. Cormier is waiting to hear back from more agencies around the Fitchburg are to see if they are interested in getting kids involved. He is raising the money to pay for the guitars and the lessons from local businesses. It will cost $240 for each kid who goes through the program, he said. It costs $100 to pay for the guitar and $140 for eight lessons, he said.

Cormier is a father of three who works as a catastrophe analyst for Liberty Mutual in Westin. He volunteers his time on the side to run Sterling Music Exchange, which he calls his “passion.” People looking to get involved with Step Up to Music can email Cormier at petecormier@comcast.net or call him at (978) 855-8160.

GAAMHA Xmas Party - Dec 29

2006-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

SME musicians performed for over 100 enthusiastic clients at the Gardner Athol Area Mental Health Association to kick off the holiday party on Dec 29. Performers included Jim Hatch and Pete Cormier on guitars who provided some old favorites like Brown-eyed Girl, the Beatles and some Xmas favorites. Bryn Digney and her fiddle got the audience really going with a variety of Scottish and Irish reels.

In the top photo from left to right is Bryn, Ken, a client helping out on tambourine and Pete.
In the bottom photo from left to write Alan a client stands next to Sybil Arguijo from GAAMHA and Pete singing Jingle Bell Rock.

Step Up to Music Awards - Dec 20

2006-12-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

The first two students of the Step Up to Music program received their acoustic guitars at the Glenhaven Xmas party on Dec 20 . The recipients completed the program after working hard during the 8 weeks of music lessons. Guitar teacher Jodee Frawlee reported, "These girls put alot of effort into learning how to play the guitar. I really enjoyed working with them and wish them the best of luck." The girls also received gig bags to carry their guitars, staps and picks to go with their new acoustic guitars.

The guitars were provided to SME at a significant discount thanks to Al at Gordon Music, Twin City Mall, Leominster, MA.

Nesting on Main - Dec 7

2006-12-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

On Thursday evening, John Weeks and Pete performed some xmas carols for the shoppers of Nesting On Main, a shop owned by our friends Wendi (front), Melissa and Roxanne (back row). Their shop, which sells a variety of eclectic unique pieces is located in beautiful downtown Concord.

John performed his suite of original songs, planned for an upcoming CD. Wendi, Melissa and Roxanne got everyone going with a sing-a-long of Frosty The Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. But the highlight of the evening was the Beatles tune, Twist and Shout which got all the customers twisting and shouting. A wonderful night of shopping and songs with our friends from Concord.

Dance Showcase II - Dec 3

2006-12-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Sterling Dance Showcase II attached a large audience at the First Church in Sterling on Dec 3. This event featured 4 performances in the 8-12 year old category. In the photo at left Rachel accepts the 1st place award from judge Emily Gilbert for her ballet dance. The event also featured special performances by Emily and Maria Vasquez-Benson and by Awakening, a dance group from the Christina Performing Arts Center.

The event also featured the Sterling Music Exchange's new BOSE sound system which was purchased with donations. VIP's in attendance included State Rep. Lewis Evangelidis and Sterling Selectman Richard Sheppard who stopped by to say a few words to the crowd.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Sterling Academy of Gymnastics for their donation to the BOSE system as well as to the SME volunteers pictured in the photo. Standing next to Pete are Lauren Beaver, Kerstin Sutter and Amanda Clark

Attitudes Salon - Dec 2

2006-12-02T18:49:00.000-08:00

SME performed at Attitudes Salon in Sterling which provided goodies and music to towns folk on the Sterling Women's Club Xmas Home Tour.

This was a great event with lots of music, good food, plenty of laughs and alot of participation by Attitudes staff and customers.

SME musicians also performed at the Cider Mill in Sterling which was another stop on this Xmas Home Tour.

Two customers at Attitudes Salon, Carmen and Mike, joined in and sang with SME musicians Jim Hatch, John Weeks and Pete. In the photo below from left to right is Mike, Carmen, Pete, John and Jim. This entire group or roaming musicians serenaded customers in the Sterling Deli and Dunkin Donuts as well as Attitudes.
A big thank you to Rose and Tom Blair for opening their Salon to all the participants on the Xmas house tour.

Cider Mill, Sterling - Nov 18

2006-11-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

On November 18, SME musicians performed at the Cider Mill, Sterling where we were joined by Pat, one of the store owners shown here standing to the right of Pete Cormier, executive director of SME. Pat performed American Pie and a variety of Xmas carols.

We were also graced by the performance of 4 young ladies who accompanied Pat, Pete and John Weeks on many old favorites and xmas carols . Back row (l-r), Alison & Amy, front row (l-r): Maggie & Alex.

SME a finalist in MWCC Bus Plan Competition

2006-11-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

The Sterling Music Exchange was a finalist in the Mount Wachusett Community College Entrepreneurial Resource Center’s second annual Business Plan Competition. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the finalists’ presentations Thursday, Nov. 16 at MWCC’s Gardner campus. In the photo from left to right is Ron Ansin, one of the judges, Pete Cormier of SME, and Dan Asquino, president of MWCC.

Sterling Music Exchange Inc.’s Step Up to Music in the nonprofit category won $4,200 in cash and in-kind services at the semi-final contest on Monday, Nov. 13. On Thursday evening, Step Up to Music was awarded the Community Builders volunteer program prize of $2,000 in cash and the Phoenix Park office space prize valued at $3,000, bringing the total prize to $ 9,200.

Step Up to Music is a new program of Sterling Music Exchange. Aimed at adolescents who are being treated for emotional problems and/or depression, this program will provide them with free music lessons, access to a guitar and eventual ownership of a guitar. Pete Cormier, founder of Sterling Music Exchange, wants this new program “to enhance the self-esteem and self-confidence of adolescents who for a variety of reasons find themselves in a situation that warrants counseling, outpatient therapy or residency in a group home situation.”

Cormier said the program will cost $240 per student. To cover those costs, he expects to apply for grants, to solicit donations from local businesses and to receive payments from treatment centers. Sterling Music Exchange will also cover a portion. Like Sterling Music Exchange, Cormier said Step Up to Music will be run by volunteers. Carefully selected music instructors will be paid for their services.

This article was excerpted from a press release issued by MWCC on November 18, written by By Kimberly B. Caisse, Public Relations Dept, MWCC.

Halloween Party - Oct 30

2006-11-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

Local singer songwriter John Weeks entertained about 100 of Sterling's children at the Halloween Walk and Party sponsored by the Sterling Women's Club on Oct 30, 2006. The walk started at the bandstand behind the fire station and proceeded down main street ending at the First Church where the party was held.

In an article in the Meetinghouse News, organizers had this to say about SME and performer John Weeks, "Sterling Music Exchange blessed us with that wonderful talent, John Weeks, who played guitar all night for us. Kristen Cormier from the Sterling Women's Club had this to say in an email, "John Weeks was fantastic. He was good with the kids and the whole group."

In the photo above, John is serenading a group of young costumed children while letting them familiarize themselves with his musical equipment.

March of Dimes Gig - Oct 30

2006-11-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

SME ensemble, Burnin' Daylight provided the music at the March of Dimes auction & fundraising event on Oct 30 at the Cyprien Keys Country Club in Boylston, MA. This event called the 'Chef's for Healthy Babies' featured specially prepared dishes, wine and unique items that were auctioned by Brian Barlow, GM of WICN public radio, 90.5, New England’s Jazz station.
Event organizer, Patty Kady reported that the event was attended by 190 people and raised $ 36,000 for the March of Dimes. In the photo from left to right are musicians: Dave Clark, Steve Wilisch, Lori Haddad and Dan Villani who provided their unique style of cool jazz.

A Concert And A Movie - Oct 22

2006-10-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

This event took place on Sunday, October 22 at the Strand Theatre, a wonderful, old vaudeville theatre that was built over 80 years ago. The violin concert started at 2pm and featured a performance by Sarah (14 yrs old) and Bryn (16 yrs old) who performed 45 minutes of beautiful violin music ranging from classical artists like Mozart to Swedish folks reels to African folk songs. Sarah and Bryn played with confidence and passion and the audience responded to each song with hearty applause. Sarah and Bryn, students at the Bancroft School are frequent performers at SME events having performed at venues ranging from the Old Town Hall in Sterling to the Worcester Art Museum and Mechanics Hall in Worcester. After their performance, there was a short intermission during which door prizes were presented to 3 winners who took home Dunkin Donuts gift certificates and a beautiful potted plant.

The next part of the show involved a screening of the film documentary, Music From The Inside Out, a wonderful look behind the scenes at the Philadelphia Orchestra. This award winning film provided in depth interviews with selected musicians which provided a unique insight into their passion for music. The audience was attentive and the music from this wonderful film filled this unique venue wonderfully. We heard classical performances as well as bluegrass, jazz, folk and salsa from the musicians in the orchestra.

This free event was sponsored by the Sterling Music Exchange, the Strand Theatre, Dunn’s Printing of Clinton and the Clinton Cultural Council, a local organization supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Special thanks go out to Joanne and Pam Blodgett of the Strand, Mallory Cormier who handed out programs and Kathy Tamburri, staff writer at The Item newspaper who wrote a wonderful article on 10/17/06 to promote the event.

Batter Woman's Gig - Oct 3

2006-10-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

On October 3, the Sterling Music Exchange (John Weeks and I) performed acoustic music at an event hosted by the Battered Woman's Resources, Inc. (BRWI) in Fitchburg, MA at the FAY Club.

What a wonderful group of people we met there. We heard Executive Director Joanne Tulenon talk about the great work that her board and staff have been doing to support victims of domestic violence in north central Mass. We came away with a great appreciation for the good work that has been done and the great needs that still exist. We decided to partner (SME and BWRI on a musical event in the near future to promote peace and non-violence. Will keep you updated on this cool event which hopes to engage the community on a number of levels. Thanks to Karin Oliveira for getting us involved with BWRI.

Update: on November 9, Joanne Tulenon and I presented a concept for a nonviolence and music event focused on young people to the Leominster Cultural Council at City Hall. This event, to be held in May, 2007, will feature performances by young adult dancers, musicians and poets with a nonviolence theme. The event will take place at a venue in Leominster, possibly at city hall. We also discussed ideas to have a guest speaker talk you the young adults about peace and non-violence and possibly a youth panel discussion. See more details on www.sterlingmusic.org .