“ I came up with the idea . I didn ’ t want a full kid band . I wanted to play . Let ’ s have a professional-level rhythm section ; we ’ ll put a veteran or pro in each section with the students ”
opportunity for kids to become professional horn players . “ If you play drums or rhythm instruments , it ’ s easy .”
He said that in 2008 , he created the idea of bringing students into a band mixed with professionals . “ I came up with the idea . I didn ’ t want a full kid band . I wanted to play . Let ’ s have a professional-level rhythm section ; we ’ ll put a veteran or pro in each section with the students ,” Stephens said .
He set out to recruit professionals and students to play in the big band Masterclass . He also started collecting charts the music sets for a big band .
It wasn ’ t easy at first , and Stephens understands why . He said it was a new concept , and they had to prove that professionals and students could play together . Part of that indoctrination was through buying good music through big band charts .
The charts included more modern big band music from Michael Bublé , Natalie Cole , and even Phil Collins Big Band . He has also amassed charts from Sinatra and the Rat Pack , along with Buddy Rich , Ella Fitzgerald , and Rosemary Clooney , to name a few . He said he now has about 400 charts .
Masterclass held their first show in April 2008 . He said , “ Besides young high school and college-aged horn players , I opened it up to vocalists . There are many opportunities for the kids to play rock and roll , but not many big bands . School teaches the kids how to sing but not how to perform . The difference between playing an instrument and singing and performing is the choreography and the entertainment factor . When playing at school , they play what is on the page , but they are rather stoic about it . We teach them how to be entertainers as well as fine musicians .”
Today they ’ ve been playing for 15 years as Masterclass Big Band , with about 30 musicians on their roster . About 25 play in each show , along with understudies . They have high school and college students and professional musicians performing alongside each other at gigs across town . There are Masterclass Big Band alumni who , in some cases , have leveraged their experience to move forward with music careers .
Matt Peterson , 25 , is an alum of the group who played with them for five years . Now Peterson works full-time at a music store and teaches trombone and trumpet lessons to youth . He said he first met Stephens as a child at a Sons of Norway event with his dad . They were there to celebrate a 90-yearold trombone player , and he asked to sit in with the band with his horn . That ’ s how he met Stephens and became acquainted with Masterclass Big Band .
A professional cast member of Masterclass is Jim Swoboda . In his day job , he operates a creative agency specializing in commercials . Swoboda , born and raised in Spokane , comes from a musical family . With talent running through their veins , he , his sisters , and nieces sing and participate in Masterclass . Swoboda is the lead male vocalist , plus the master of ceremonies .
His passion for the group comes out through energy and enthusiasm . He said their mission is “ to gather students and professionals ( even grade school ) to create an atmosphere of professionalism and entertainment . We want to be professional and good with music , but we are putting on a show which is a little different than a concert . We have fun doing it , and we learn from each other .”
The group plays about 12 gigs a year around Spokane . Swoboda said they ’ ve been known to play New Year ’ s Eve parties downtown at The Knitting Factory . But his favorite show has been at Spokane ’ s Pig Out in the Park in September . Stephens said they would be playing that weekend at the north entrance of Riverfront Park .
After 15 years of leading passionate student musicians and encouraging them to perform , Stephens is still excited about the group . He said when they perform , he feels “ exhilarated ; I feel as a performer , I have a sense of pride because the kids are really good ; the band
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