| Rock Band Summer Workshop 7/23-7/27 2007 |
 |
| Rock Band Summer Workshop 2007 Week 1. |
|
|
Day 1-July 23, 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
Today the bands met for the first time and began working really hard on writing their first original song. Each band learned about structuring a song and what kind of elements are needed to write a really great rock tune. Each band had the chance to showcase their work for the rest of the workshop at the end of the day. All the bands came up with names and had their picture taken. It was a lot of fun and some really great music is starting to take shape.
|
 |
| "The Rockin' Heartbeats" Performing live at Ryder Park on July 27th. |
|
|
 |
| "Ink" Performing live at Ryder Park on July 27 2007. |
|
|
 |
| "Funeticx" live at Ryder Park on Friday July 27th at 7pm. |
|
|
 |
| Melissa helps Casey with a riff |
|
|
 |
| Everyone learned about how to make a song work. |
|
|
 |
| Matt works on a good rhythm for his band's song. |
|
|
 |
| Each band showcased on the stage. |
|
|
 |
| Some of the bands wrote a full song on their first day! |
|
|
 |
| Melissa watches while the "Rockin' Heartbeats" make their debut. |
|
|
 |
| The first day of RBSW was so much fun. |
|
|
 |
| What a great incentive to practice! |
|
|
|
Day 2-July 24, 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
The bands are sounding really great. Some of them have already completed 2 songs. Students are getting creative and adding different instruments into the songs. If you walk past the music school in the morning, you can hear music coming from all sides of the school. The bands are also beginning to gather raffle prizes for our fund raiser which is going to take place at the show.
|
 |
| "The Smokin' Aces" Live at Ryder Park on Friday July 27, 2007. |
|
|
 |
| Shredding. |
|
|
 |
| "Ink" rocks on keyboard. |
|
|
 |
| Adding percussion to a song gives it a whole new dimension. |
|
|
 |
| Playing for the crowd is a great opportunity to rehearse. |
|
|
 |
| This band already sounds like they have been together for years! |
|
|
 |
| Nothing is better than hearing a song that you wrote come to life. |
|
|
 |
| These kids really know how to rock! |
|
|
 |
| Keyboard sounds great in a rock song. |
|
|
 |
| Practicing during every spare minute makes the bands sound great. |
|
|
 |
| Each band holds band meetings to discuss "band business". |
|
|
 |
| Hanging out with the band between performances is fun. |
|
|
 |
| Members of "Rockin Heartbeats" work on a song in their practice studio. |
|
|
 |
| Playing with a band really makes better musicians. |
|
|
 |
| Every song features some great guitar solos. |
|
|
Day 3-July 25, 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
The transformation from 4 groups of people to 4 awesome rock bands has officially happened. The members are collaborating, they are compromising and they making decisions as a team to create some incredible songs. They are starting to play with more confidence and feel more comfortable on stage. The show is now 2 days away! Each student has been hanging their posters and gathering raffle prizes for the big fund raiser. Today, Mike taught a rock guitar class after the workshop and worked with many of the guitar players on some cool riffs they could play in their songs.
|
 |
| Bands are getting more creative with their photo shoots. |
|
|
 |
| The lyrics are coming together with the music. |
|
|
 |
| Making lots of new friends! |
|
|
 |
| Guitar players stayed for the Rock Guitar Class with Mike today. |
|
|
 |
| Members of Funeticx. |
|
|
 |
| Ink showcases for the rest of the camp. |
|
|
 |
| Taking a solo. |
|
|
 |
| Freestyling in a rock song makes it really unique. |
|
|
 |
| Watching the other bands is as fun as playing on the stage. |
|
|
 |
| Focusing on the drum part. |
|
|
 |
| With three songs already written, Funeticx is now putting on the finishing touches. |
|
|
 |
| Using skills from the lessons here at the music school makes writing songs easier. |
|
|
Day 4-July 26 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
Today the bands got to do a run through of the show for Friday night. Each band performed on the stage and practiced introducing themselves to the audience and playing song to song. It was a good opportunity to see what still needs work. Practicing in a room and playing for an audience are two completely different things. The rest of the bands acted as a great audience and the teachers were able to give pointers to their bands as they watched them from the audience. All the bands stayed for extra rehearsals and tomorrow they will have a final rehearsal with their band and then a final rehearsal on the stage at noon. Many of the parents have been coming to see the rehearsals and are very excited about the progress their kids have made. One more day until the big show! Be sure to check out the video clip of "Funeticx" performing during the rehearsal below.
|
 |
| "The Rockin' Heartbeats" on stage. |
|
|
 |
| "Ink" on stage. |
|
|
Day 5 July 27 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
Today the bands had their final rehearsals. The pressure is on! The show is tonight! They worked until about 11:00am and then were all called to the stage for a surprise. Marc von Em, an old friend of Mike and Miriam's and a former band mate of Mike's stopped by. Marc just recently finished touring with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and toured all over the world performing at huge arenas, Live 8, The Tonight Show, The View, Ellen Degenres and many more. He talked to all our rockers about what it was like to be on tour, to be a professional working musician and then he talked about the importance of studying music. He is currently promoting his own work as a solo singer songwriter and you can visit his website at www.marcvonem.com. Mike and Marc played together in the 90s in an original band called Emerald Zoo and then they played together in a very popular Westchester cover band called Mr. X. The rockers all got to see a picture of Mike and Marc from back in the day when they were in Mr. X.
At the end of the day, the bands did their final "dress rehearsal" and then had a pizza party. Many of the bands stayed to take advantage of our Extended Day for Rockers and did additional rehearsals. In the meantime, downstairs in the office, Miriam, Toniann and Mike gathered all the raffle prizes and continued to call all over town to request more prizes from local businesses. They put together the program and then everyone went on their way to get ready for the big show.
|
 |
| Mike and Marc talk to the rockers. |
|
|
 |
| The rockers listened and learned a lot from the visit. |
|
|
 |
| Mike shows the picture of "Mr. X" to the rockers. |
|
|
 |
| The picture of "Mr. X" from the 1990's. See if you can guess which one is Mike! |
|
|
The Showcase-July 27, 2007 Rock Band Summer Workshop
What a great event. At least 200 people came out to support the bands and we enjoyed great weather under the pavillion at Ryder Park in Ossining. Families brought picnic dinners and sat at the picnic tables and watched the show. Each band did a great job. The show started with a performance by the adult blues band workshop. Then the 4 bands from the camp played and the show ended with a performance by the adult rock band workshop. Many people bought raffle tickets and we raised $500 for the Ossining Micro Fund! Thank you to all the businesses that donated and to all the parents and students that got prizes for the raffle. Everyone went home very happy!
|
 |
| The crowd enjoying the show on July 27, 2007. |
|
|
 |
| "The Rockin' Heartbeats" at the Showcase. |
|
|
 |
| Taking a guitar solo. |
|
|
 |
| Singing the lead vocals. |
|
|
 |
| "Ink" at the showcase. |
|
|
 |
| Taking a guitar solo during "Ink's" performance. |
|
|
 |
| Teamwork makes the band sound strong. |
|
|
 |
| "The Smokin' Aces" at the showcase. |
|
|
 |
| Music is also about having fun! |
|
|
 |
| "Funetixc" at the showcase. |
|
|
 |
| Every instrument plays an important role in the band. |
|
|
|
