Daring to be different
Although, not many will openly admit to having played an air-guitar. Sandeep Milan John has his own version of it- air-keyboards. Constantly thinking about his music, Sandeep’s fingers twitch involuntarily tracing the chords that are always a part of his thoughts. Before any performance, you can be certain that the chaos backstage will not affect this habit for the keyboardist of the ‘Rebels’.
It was TNL Onstage 2008 that slung the Rebels’ music out into the public eye. “We didn’t win,” Milan says, but being placed runners-up has been enough to keep the gigs coming in. The years that followed were only an addition to the years the band has been playing together, having always known each other from school. “They are like family now” he shares, one of them-the drummer- being Milan’s brother.
Currently employed at Music Matters, the idea of teaching children is a new found love for him. Thrilled about the fact that theory is used as tool to encourage future performers in school, he says his time there is something that keeps him in touch with music and is a rewarding experience. The school was where he was first introduced to jazz, which has become a part of his playing style.
It wasn’t until his father took him to church that Milan learned to form melodies with harmony, this was when he was ten. A former student of St. Benedict’s College he wasn’t a part of the choir until grade 11. Since the assigned accompanist was also a part of the first II Cricket team of the school, Milan stepped in to take his place for one service, since then he has always accompanied the choir. In the past 18 years Milan reckons he has missed under eight Sundays of playing at church. Starting out with the school choir, he has gone on to accompany VoicePrint on their trip to China, returning with the group who won gold and silver medals.
Looking for a music school to enrol in, he says it took about three to four years of Googling and sifting through Youtube to come across one that would accept him. Studying music theory online at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he completed the course with a grade- A pass. After it came to light that they were the only prestigious school of music that take a chance on students with no prior formal musical qualification Milan submitted an application. The screening process though is a tough one he tells us, interviews and an extensive research into the applicant’s apparent musical ability makes it an intimidating process. His auditions were in Malaysia for which he performed an original rendition of the Gajaga Wannama in 7/8 time.
The piece seemed to have translated well, because without having to explain himself too much, after hearing it “they saw that I didn’t have a title so they called it ‘the disruptive elephant.’” In September this year Milan learnt he was accepted to study at Berklee. “I was going on tour again with B&S just four days later,” he recalls. University however will have to wait for the young musician. Not being able to fund himself he has postponed participation in the course.
“I hope to go there for the Spring Intake of 2016” he says, if funding comes through. “I would have loved to go this year, but things don’t quite work that way.” Taking it as yet another challenge to overcome Milan is currently looking at online funding. See the box above on how to support Milan.
Intending to major in film scoring, it has been a fascination for Milan to capture an emotion and enhance it with music. “I think that’s what makes my music different.” Careful to always include feelings into the music he makes Milan has never thought himself to be excellent at his craft. “There is a long way to go, and I have a lot of learning left to do,” he says hoping he gets the chance.
To find out how you can support Sandeep Milan John on his journey of furthering his studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, scan the code above. Alternatively visit www.youcaring.com and type Milan John on the site’s search bar to open his page.