All American School of Music seeks musicians MILLSTONE - It's time for local young musicians to get out of the garage and into music school. A new performing arts school called the All American School of Music, which is based in Millstone Township, offers area students professional music instruction coupled with challenging performance opportunities, according to an All American School of Music press release. Students are taught by New Jersey-certified, experienced music educators whose focus is on developing the students' musical talents and then transposing those talents to performances at community, state and national venues. Students may even travel to participate in music festivals and competitions, according to the press release. The goal of the All American School of Music is to offer students who enjoy music performance the opportunity to do more than what is offered at the local public schools, according to the release. The school's director, Peter R. Mauro, who is the former director of the Allentown High School Redbird Marching Band, is quick to point out that the new school is designed not to replace the local public school music programs, but rather to provide more for those students who love to play their instruments, and thus will enhance the music programs at the schools they attend. Mauro also stated that students who cannot fit music into their school schedules during the day can join the program to keep music in their lives, according to press release. The school offers a nonprofit jazz rock fusion group called The After Effect, which has already performed locally for the Millstone Day celebration, the Allentown Harvest Festival and the Trenton Thunder baseball franchise. The exposure to these events has increased the number of students performing with the group, according to the release. Mauro believes that a second band may be needed in the near future, according to the press release. The After Effect will be sponsoring two jazz-rock performances on Dec. 5 and Jan. 16 at the Mercer County ice-skating rink, where spectators can skate while listening to music, according to the press release. Additional performances will include a holiday concert at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Hightstown on Dec. 16, performing Christmas carols for the local senior citizen homes, competing at the Rowan University Jazz Festival in Glassboro on Feb. 8, performing in Washington, D.C., in April and opening for a professional rock group at the annual Princeton Fte in June. Mauro also has plans for repeat performances at a Trenton Thunder baseballgame, a Mother's Day spring jazz festival in May and an exposition for the New York Yankees. Formed in early May, the After Effect is sponsored by a group of parents known as Bella Musica. For concert tickets and information concerning participation in the All American School of Music, contact Mary Prendergast at (609) 208-0052.