John J. Cali School of Music
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News
February 28, 2025

Tops in Music: How Does Montclair State University Attract World-Class Musicians?

Cali School of Music’s Immersive Residency Program gives students valuable hands-on experience with Grammy-winning artists

Posted in: Cali News

Pat Metheny with Guitar

When saxophonist Will Travis was auditioning for music schools, one of the things that stood out about Montclair State University was its record of drawing renowned jazz artists like Christian McBride and Wynton Marsalis to work with music majors. That was a key factor in his decision to enroll in Montclair’s John J. Cali School of Music.

“I auditioned for probably about eight or nine schools, and this is the one that really stuck with me,” said Travis, who is from Maine and now a sophomore Jazz Studies major. Once on campus, he wondered if Montclair would continue to host high-caliber artists. “They’ve continued to deliver. They brought in Pat Metheny – and Arturo Sandoval last year,” he said.So how does Montclair attract world-class musicians? Through the Cali Immersive Residency Program, started by Cali School of Music Director Anthony Mazzocchi, now in its fourth year.  The program provides students with opportunities to learn from and collaborate with world-class solo artists and ensembles. The school’s proximity to New York, a cultural capital only 12 miles from campus, as well as faculty who are working music professionals makes it advantageous in attracting diverse talent to work with Cali students.

Metheny, an internationally renowned jazz guitarist with more than 20 Grammy Awards in 12 different categories, is the latest in a line of legendary musicians to engage with Cali students through the program.

Benefits of the Cali Immersive Residency Program for Students

Montclair’s Immersive Residency Program provides students with invaluable opportunities to:

  • Connect with and learn from the visiting artists in a more intimate setting.
  • Gain insight into the artist’s journey and receive mentorship that can shape their careers.
  • Benefit from exposure to the diverse range of artists, covering different areas like brass, vocals and composition.

Montclair’s Cali School Hits the Right Notes

Metheny had high praise for Montclair and the Cali School: “The whole program, every aspect of the school, is absolutely incredible.”

Despite dropping out of high school, Metheny became the youngest music teacher ever at the University of Miami at 18 and at Berklee College of Music in Boston at 19. During his residency, he emphasized the importance of music education. “I think that it’s incredibly useful for talented musicians to go to school,” he said.

A student wearing glasses holds his hand under his chin in a class.
Violist and Music Education major Denton Moreland takes in every word of wisdom from Pat Metheny during the Cali Conversations. (Photo by Mike Peters)

Levi Taple, a first-year graduate student studying jazz guitar, also chose Montclair in part because of the residency program. Taple, who is from Minneapolis and earned his undergraduate degree at Michigan State, admires Metheny’s mastery on guitar. He was thrilled to work closely with the jazz giant during his residency, particularly in a guitar master class.

“As a guitar player, it’s been cool to observe his artistry and control of his instrument,” Taple said. “He’s been kind, sharing his tips and tricks and giving me advice.”

Taple, who has an assistantship at Montclair, teaches at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, an organization founded by Grammy-winning jazz musician, composer and producer Christian McBride, a former Cali artist in residence.

Travis, who performed some Metheny songs for Metheny with the Big Band Ensemble, was grateful for the experience. “A lot of the players that got to play were more experienced than I was, so it was cool to be able to play for him,” he said. “He had us rerun the tune a couple times, and every single time it just sounded better.”

Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny performs with bass player Drew Tyson, a high school student.
Bass player Drew Tyson, a 10th-grader from the Paterson Music Project and member of the Cali Pathways Program, performs with Pat Metheny. (Photo by Rob Davidson)

Metheny’s Surprising Advice

During his time at Montclair, Metheny shared one key piece of advice for young musicians: “Try to be the worst person in the band. If you’re the best person in the band, you’re in the wrong band; get in another band. In other words, try to be around people who are better than you; that’s been the key thing for me.”

Even when scouting for young talent, Metheny applies the same principle: “I’m always looking for guys who can do things that I can’t do.”

Montclair’s Strengthening Reputation

Music students’ enthusiasm for learning from professionals has played a role in the program’s success, according to Associate Professor Kathryn Lockwood, who curates the Immersive Residency Program. “It’s wonderful to get this interaction with upper-level artists. Montclair is gaining traction and an excellent reputation for providing a good experience for these Immersive Residency artists.”

For the artists, the residency program provides a break from touring, allowing artists to give back and impact future talent. “You just never know the ripple effect of what you say to a young adult,” said Lockwood.

A few previous program participants include: Avery Fisher Prize-winning clarinetist Anthony McGill, leading soloist and principal clarinet for the New York Philharmonic; artistic director and pianist Wu-Han, Co-Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center;  and electronic composer and Pulitzer Prize finalist Jlin (Jerrilin Patton), who has made the “best of” lists in The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Vogue.

Three men onstage discuss a sheet of music projected overhead on a screen.
(L to R) Professors Oscar Perez and Alan Ferber discuss composition, theory and arranging with Pat Metheny before an audience of students. (Photo by Mike Peters)

Next up,  two-time GRAMMY-award-winning Attacca Quartet and Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, who was named one of the Kennedy Center’s NEXT 50 cultural leaders in 2002 and has been described by BET as the “Beyonce of the Opera,” will visit Montclair and work with students in March.

With the Immersive Residency Program continuing to attract top-tier talent, Montclair State’s Cali School of Music is crystallizing its reputation as a premier destination for aspiring musicians.

Pat Metheny and drummer Billy Hart perform onstage.
Jazz masters Pat Metheny and Billy Hart, an adjunct professor at the Cali School, play for a sold out performance hall during Metheny’s residency. (Photo by Mike Peters)

Are you a…

Prospective Student / Parent: Learn more about the many music programs the John J. Cali School of Music has to offer, plan a visit to our campus or apply to become a Red Hawk! For individual visits to the Cali School, call 973-655-7610.