In 2013 Shelton conceptualized a never before platform, Concert Pitch, for amateur musicians to exhibit their skills. Held every Thursday at the Rosary Church - Souto Maior Community Centre, Caranzalem, amateur musicians were provided with a stage, equipment, instruments, accompaniment and an audience to perform. These were non- competitive events where everyone went home a winner. Dozens of musicians and singers took part in these well attended and lively evenings and gained the confidence to perform in front of a live audience. In between performances the audience was kept entertained with music related quiz questions involving participation from non- musicians as well. Professional musicians also performed as guest artists to motivate the novices.
The huge success prompted Shelton to continue Concert Pitch in 2014.
grandfather Maestro Fernando who was the 'mestri' (parish music
teacher) in Caranzalem, St. Cruz and Taleigao. Children from all over
Goa enrolled for classes in guitar, keyboard, violin, percussion etc.
Alumini from Maestro Fernando Music Academy have gone forth to
win accolades for their performances. The Academy trains students to
answer exams of Trinity College of Music and Associated Board of
Royal Schools of Music, London. Students have consistently scored
distinctions.
With a drive to motivate his faculty/teachers and students Shelton goes
beyond the instruments themselves and into the theory, history and
evolution of music from pre-historic bone flutes to modern electronic
synthesizers, from Neumes to Modern notation. Audio visual aids
include video clips of classic international musicians and performances
to educate and inspire the students.
Recently Maestro Fernando Music Academy took up another challenge
and introduced group sessions for very young children to appreciate the
lexicon of the language of music.
