"For those about to rock, we salute you!" Teens participating in the annual Rock Week camp at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis are more likely to recall Jack Black's call to arms in the recent movie "School of Rock" than its original source, AC/DC. Those about to rock at MacPhail are there to participate in a one-week musical adventure designed specifically for teens in grades 9-12 with a strong desire to "make the band."
"Rock Week is intense, fun, and a short blast of what it's like to be in a band," says Craig Anderson, program coordinator and guitar teacher at MacPhail. "When you have an eye to becoming a musician, learning to work with other musicians is a critical element," he says. "Rock Week offers a healthy experience in a really positive environment."
Topics covered during Rock Week include song writing, both individually and collaboratively; analysis of song and lyric forms, and specific instrumental techniques.
At the beginning of the week, the students are grouped, depending on the instrument they play, and then work together as a "band" on the various aspects of the course throughout the week. On the final day of camp, each group performs a 15-minute set during the afternoon on stage at the Seventh Street Entry that includes a cover song and an original piece the group creates together. "It's a very fun event," says Anderson. " I'm always amazed that, after only four days, they can pull it together the way they do."
Another event during the week is a daytime field trip to First Avenue. "It's really fascinating for the kids because there's a lot of music history there," says Anderson. One of the Rock Week instructors, Chris Osgood, a local musician and arts entrepreneur, talks to students about the business of running a band-an important component of a successful musician's life, says Anderson.
Another Rock Week instructor has made his own contribution to Minnesota's music history. Chan Polling, keyboardist for The Suburbs, has been on the Rock Week faculty since the camp began eight years ago and also teaches songwriting at MacPhail. Rock Week has also played a part in the formation of some local up-and-coming talent. Ian Anderson, a former camper and guitar student of Craig Anderson, was recently featured in a City Pages story about his Afternoon Records Studio. Members of Melodious Owl, another group getting good buzz around the Twin Cities, are also Rock Week alumni.
Teens who are interested in participating in Rock Week should have taken music lessons for at least a year or have some practical experience in a band. "We don't hold the bar too high on our expectations, but the student should have some musical background," says Anderson. Occasionally, kids who have already formed a band will come to Rock Week together to hone their
skills while others are there looking for an opportunity to meet like-minded kids interested in making music, explains Anderson. The students' personal musical expectations for the week may vary. "Some kids show up at Rock Week carrying notebooks filled with song lyrics and are totally invested in songwriting," says Anderson. "Then we might have drummers, just there for a fun playing experience, who aren't particularly interested in learning about lyrics."
Brand-new to the Rock Week program this year is a camp called Kids Rock, for ages 10-13. Steve Roehm, who also teaches at Rock Week, will lead this camp for the younger set, which is co-sponsored by the Walker Art Center. "A lot of kids at this age only have exposure to music through a school band, and may really be more interested in learning about rock music," says Roehm, a drummer. "I wish I'd had access to this kind of thing when I was in fifth or sixth grade instead of having to wait until senior high school."
The format for Kids Rock will be very similar to Rock Week, with a lot of hands-on teaching and the opportunity for kids to log a nice amount of playing time, according to Roehm. "I like to start working with kids by just noodling around on the instrument, getting them to play, and pretty soon everyone jumps on board," he explains. "Once they are really playing, that's when their eyes start to sparkle."
Rock Week
Ages 13-18, entering grades 9-12
July 25-28, 11 a.m.
4 p.m., performance on July 29 or August 1-4, performance on August 5
Kids Rock!
Ages 10-13, August 8-12, 1-4 p.m.
For more information, call MacPhail Center for the Arts at 612-321-0100 or visit their web site at www.macphail.org.
