Shem Development
| In September of 1975, the family moved back to New Jersey and Artie picked up where he left off in the jingle business as the record industry had for the most part moved itself to Los Angeles. In July of 1976, Artie took his two sons back to Seattle for the "Northwest Pacific Festival" to see Wagner's tetrology "Der Ring Des Nibelungen." As Shem recalls, "Wagner's 'Ring' is music's most brilliant artistic achievement. To sit and watch this work performed in the opera house at age eleven still remains one of my all time favorite experiences." Still playing drums and piano, Shem began playing the bass at age twelve. "My brother, Jason was supposed to be the bass player in the house but I would love to pick it up and play it. It seemed to come pretty natural to me. Still considering myself a drummer, I didn't take the bass seriously until a few years later." By age thirteen Shem found himself playing drums on many of the jingles Artie would write and arrange. "I remember seeing the surprise of the other musicians as this 'youngster' came into the studio and sat down at the drums. It was encouraging to see their even bigger surprise after we played a couple of takes." |
As Shem entered high school he became active in both music and sports splitting time between songwriting, school musicals, talent shows, physical fitness and athletics. Summers were spent in Ithaca, NY at the Suzuki Institute held at Ithaca College. Here, Shem would play double bass in the orchestra and get his first taste for working with a large symphonic ensemble. "I was always a big fan of classical music but to actually play in an orchestra and to feel and hear the acoustic sounds all around me was something that I'd never felt before." Conductor, violist and Interlochen legend, David Holland was to be a major influence on Shem. "Being around the way he taught music was an absolute joy for me. There are many things to this day that have stayed with me and continue to be present in the way I make music, which I learned from Mr. Holland." Holland conducted Shem's "Ithaca Suite for String Orchestra" on two occasions. "To have this man, whom I so admired and respected, volunteer to conduct my composition was such an honor and an experience that I will always treasure." |