Staff Spotlight: Alessandro Tenorio-Bucci

Title: Private Lessons Instructor

Instrument of choice: Clarinet & Saxophone

What were some of your earliest music memories or inspirations?

Music was always playing in my house when I was little. My parents picked CDs that I loved. Some of my favorites were Raffi, Tom Chapin, Burl Ives, different collections of ethnic music, and more. I loved the music so much that I learned the name of each song on the CDs. This also shaped my taste in music today, I have a very wide and open taste in music.

Was there a specific thing that inspired you to pursue music?

I always grew up around music and listening to different kinds of music. When I was in third grade, we tried all of the band and orchestra instruments. For some reason, I just fell in love with the clarinet and saxophone when I tried them. I initially wanted to sign up for saxophone in band, but the band director told me they thought clarinet would be a better fit for me. I’m glad they told me this, as I have stuck with playing the clarinet ever since, and saxophone was not hard to add on top of that as I progressed with playing music.

What do you find rewarding about teaching?

I love teaching and meeting new students of all ages and levels. I love it when students have fun and enjoy playing their instrument. Being part of their musical growth is a privilege for me.

I always tell people that it’s never too late to pick up music no matter what your age and experience. Music is a universal healing medicine that always makes people feel happier no matter what your age, level, or experience in music may be. I always love seeing my students feel happy and have fun!!

Was there a music educator who was particularly influential to you?

I had two wonderful band directors who encouraged me and gave me opportunities to play with ensembles outside of the school orchestra and band. These directors spent extra time finding opportunities for me to play and perform, and they attended every performance.

All of the professors I studied with at DePaul University have also taught me so much about playing in ensembles, and so much more.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time performing or teaching?

I have a lot of amazing memories from teaching and performing that it’s so hard to just think of one.

Some of my most fond memories are when my students got into a college or festival from a recorded audition, and being there in person to help them with the recording and submitting. It’s always rewarding for both the teacher and the student when students succeed like this!!

Any tips or tricks for brand new or aspiring musicians?

The most important tip is that a little bit of playing every day is better than lots of playing on one day. Students are busy and have many obligations, and they find it difficult to fit in the time to practice their instrument. The good news is you don't need big chunks of time to make good progress with your playing.

Playing for 15 minutes most days of the week will give you better results than playing for an hour one day a week. Try it!

*To read more about the importance of daily practice, check out PM Music Center's article "A Parents Guide to Music Lessons"

What are some things you think all students should know before pursuing any sort of music education?

One thing most people don't realize is that music education happens every time you listen to music. Singing along, tapping out the beat, and feeling the emotions in music are all parts of learning music. It doesn’t all have to be about super intense studying and practicing, so listen to all the music you like and as much different music as you can.

Any advice you'd give to students of the clarinet or saxophone specifically?

Always take a relaxed deep breath from your belly, and never tense up your chest and shoulders. A good way to test this is to put one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest, and take some breaths. The hand on your belly should be moving in and out while you are breathing, but the hand on your chest should not be moving at all.

Tensing up your chest and shoulders will restrict how much air you can take in, and will constrict the airstream and the sound you get from your instrument.

Favorite movie or musical soundtrack?

The Fantasia series has always been one of my favorite movie soundtracks. Seeing all of the beautiful and intricate cartoon animations set to orchestral classics never gets old, and I often find myself rewatching clips or the whole movies.

Favorite spots in the Chicago area for live music?

There are so many great venues in both the city and the suburbs of the Chicagoland area. One of my favorites is Clara in Wicker Park. They have free live music of all kinds most days of the week, and they support their musicians very well. I have played there a few times and gone to several performances there, and it’s always been an amazing experience.

The MAC at College of DuPage is also a fantastic, beautiful venue that hosts a wide variety of different productions.

Dream concert?

As mentioned, I have a very wide and open taste in music. A concert that reflects this would definitely be a dream. Sometimes you can find me listening to baroque music followed by speed metal, and a concert reflecting this would be an absolute dream and super fun to attend for me.

Favorite song to perform?

This is a very hard question, as there are many fun and great pieces that I love performing. One of the standouts is definitely Rhapsody in Blue, as it’s a piece that everyone knows, and one of the first things that comes to mind for a lot of people when they think of the clarinet.