Student Spotlight - New Album from Partha Roy

Alex Stanton • May 5, 2022

We love featuring music made by students, teachers and community members! This time we've got a new album from Partha Roy, one of our awesome adult students. Check out the music here:

How did the project get started?

It all started during the pandemic when our Sunburst band couldn’t jam in person. To be honest, I was (and still am) technologically very naïve and didn’t know anything about DAWs and Audio interfaces, etc. Thanks to tech-savvy band members Max Somerville and Chuck Cranor, who introduced me to those things, and when I bought a Focusrite (which came with Ableton), they were kind and patient enough to walk me through the initial steps. It was very overwhelming for me in the beginning but was fun to learn through trial and error, and I managed to record a demo song “Don’t Surrender” (my first composition ever) that thematically aligned with the dark and depressing phase of COVID. The rest of the tracks came about within a span of a year and a half or so through experimentation and editing.

What were some of your main inspirations?

I have always been a huge fan of Pink Floyd, in particular, David Gilmour – their style of music is and will always be my biggest inspiration. I used to dream that I am sitting on the doorstep of David Gilmour’s house waiting for him to magically appear and teach me how to play guitar. Some of the other bands/musicians I also really like are Alice in Chains, Deep Purple, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Alanis Morrisette, Rush, etc.

What was your process from conception to release?

In my case, the process often starts without a definitive direction. I would sit with my guitar and work through some chord progressions (since I had no classical training in music, I never know whether the chord sequences are acceptable in a strict musician’s dictionary – I stick to what pleases my ears). When it comes to composing a solo, I also follow an unorthodox method of composing a solo and then retrofitting backing chords. Writing lyrics is always challenging for me. It often starts with some gibberish random lines which I then try to morph into a message/story through several rounds of editing. Initially, I had no idea that I would actually release an album. One of my colleagues (George Stetten), who is also a great musician, gave me some useful tips.

What’s next for you?

I am working on a few songs and hopefully, in the not too distant future, I would be able to compile a set of songs for another album (at least, that’s the goal!!).

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Sunburst News - August 2025

August 1, 2025

August- Issue #96

5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.