Students kept coming to us saying that they were having trouble putting together bands and finding musicians. They wanted to know what to do if they couldn't find a drummer or a bass player.

It was students coming to us and saying this is something we care about.

The students came to us ... after reading our letter, saying they understand there have been abuses and they accept that as a problem. They would just like to have an event that celebrates their four years together and the idea of a dinner cruise was agreeable to us.

The trouble with most musicians today is that they are copycats. Of course you have to start out playing like someone else. You have a model, or a teacher, and you learn all that he can show you. But then you start playing for yourself. Show them that you're an individual. And I can count those who are doing that today on the fingers of one hand.

Um, musicians are funnier you know, than actors on the whole.

Students audition for a spot to play side by side with one of our professional musicians. This gives the students an opportunity to learn what it's like to get ready for a performance and to know what it's like to be a professional musician.