MUSIC  

Milan off to Berklee!

by Mahes Perera

There was a time when the Western music industry in Sri Lanka was dominated by talented musicians from Kotahena and Mutwal and who held centre stage either as solo singers or as a band. In a flash some of the names that come to mind are the Crake Brothers, the Junior Rhythmaires, the Jay Brothers and Fireflies .......... But by some quirk of fate there was a lull because most of them migrated or sought work in foreign countries – Switzerland being the popular country. But happily now the attention is beginning to focus on talent from these sections of the country, and one such musician who has succeeded in grabbing the spotlight is Milan John a well-known pianist and keyboardist who was the main accompanist for the recognised St. Benedict's College choir right through his school days. In fact he was responsible for the arrangements of the Choir for the successful 150th Anniversary celebrations held recently.

As it always happens with musicians the desire to achieve professional training is foremost and Milan John will be leaving for the States as he has been accepted for studies at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, to acquire his Professional Music Diploma 2016.

“Being accepted to study at Berklee, Boston is a dream come true for any musician and I am no exception. But it was not a cake walk for me. I had to face tough and extensive interviews which were held in Malaysia.

I was asked to play my own composition, transcribed another person's solo. I had to face ear training and recognise chords. Where the composition was concerned you could play either your own composition or choose another written by another artiste. I played There'll Never Be Another You and the Gajaga Vannama in 7/8 time. Influenced by Eshantha Peiris I added certain harmonies, to this piece.

But it didn't end here. I was given three sheets to sight read – this was not my strength. The jazz standard sheet had extensive music chords. But thanks to Sumudi Sureweera and Musicmatters I was able to tackle this. More followed! The judges played two notes – a lower C and a high B and I had to know the intervals. They were happy that I recognised it. They also played rhythms and I had to answer back. The 6/8 rhythm didn't pose any problem to me. It's a common rhythm in Sri Lanka! I was lucky to come through successfully but I deferred my 2015 semester to January 2016 as I had signed up for tours with Bathiya 'N Santhush to the UK, USA and Canada. I'm looking forward to Berklee.”

Now that he is looking forward to Berklee, to further extend his music education Milan John is proud of the fact that he is a self taught musician. Although he does not hail from a family of musicians, his parents are music oriented, he could sing in pitch and has good rhythm.

His initiation into music was also his playing in church and as he claims, he owes his training to his pastor John Jesudason. At St.Benedict's College, Kotahena he was the recognised piano accompanist for all the school's music activities and concerts. A first time meeting with Milan John and you are struck by his simplicity and his eagerness to learn more of the music he is involved in. After his A Levels and before the results were out, he proudly claims that he joined HSBC, worked for three years and was fortunate to be awarded a Super Star status for his performance. With his brother Shane and two other friends they formed the group Rebels and entered the band for TNL On Stage in 2008.

Influenced by the music of Toto, Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson, they found themselves as runners up in the contest. What followed next was that Rebels saw themselves playing at the Terrace of the Mount Lavinia Hotel on Saturdays, on a professional basis. “I started paying closer attention to my music in 2009, started lessons under Eshantha Peries, who later directed me to Sumudi Sureweera and Musicmatters and I found myself training the younger ones which gave me the opportunity to improve my sight reading. I grew up in gospel music and after joining Musicmatters my appreciation to music widened.”

After his stay at Berklee, what would be his intention. Would he come back and give our musicians and our children the benefit of his education?

“My dream is to help more Sri Lankan children to reach heights. Playing at lobbies, pubs or bens should not be their aim. Just because you can play one or two songs, doesn't mean you are an accomplished musician. My ultimate aim is to work with foreign musicians – the best.

My thinking is that I must be humble and be humiliated which will spur me to work harder. Once I complete my Diploma, I intend completing my Major in Film Scoring.

Music is a huge business. It involves presentation, how you dress, how you market yourself, price your sessions. There is a long way for us to go and we have a lot of learning to do”.