Hi, my name is Scott Miller founder of Rock School. I started RS in 2004 after noticing that many of my students (I teach guitar and bass lessons at Haggertys) didn't ever get a chance to play with other people in a real band setting. The response to the program has been great and continues to grow every year. The basic idea is to put kids together into bands and help them pick songs to play. After rehearsing through the summer they play a concert complete with a large sound system and lights. This years performance will be at the Elks Theater (as was last years). We had 10 bands last year and the performance was fantastic. The Elks is a wonderful venue for this type of thing. The ages of participants ranges from 9 to 18. This year we seem to have a particularly young bunch of kids so it will be fun as usual. We tend to have a higher ratio of guitar players to other bands members (bass, drum, singer, keyboards, violin) so you may notice that there are up to 3 guitarists per band. I always tell them there is safety in numbers. If you mess up you have 2 other guys (or girls, yes we have girls) to cover for you.
Just a bit about me. I began playing drums in 5th grade and was in Jazz Band as a freshman. I was recruited to play drums at Huron College. I began playing bass when I was 16 and began playing bass and singing lead vocals in a band (Aaron Baron) through the mid 80's. I started playing guitar when I was 15 and continue all of these instruments to this day. I am owner operator of Fire Station Seven Recording Studio. (www.firestationseven.com) I guess this all has qualified me in a unique way to coach kids on multiple instruments. I love working with kids and have been a teacher for 17 years.
Here I will list a few details about Rock School:
Rehearsals are one hour per week held at room G at Haggertys west main store.
When signing up you can pick a preferred rehearsal time.
You can also list people you would like to be signed up with (provided they sign up).
We have enough rehearsals that missing a few in the summer is OK.
Drums and amps are provided for rehearsals and performance.
The main emphasis of this program is experience, not perfection. I can't make someone a rock star in 3 months. I can't guarantee you will get to play every song you want. What I can do is tell you that these kids tell me that this is the most fun they have ever had. They form lasting friendships and sometimes lasting bands. It really can be a once in a lifetime experience.
Thanks for checking out the page and we are looking forward to another great year.
Sincerely
Scott Miller
PS Special thanks to our sponsor Haggertys Musicworks
