Rock Workshop 2011 Thank you for your interest in Rock Workshop! Below you’ll find a description of the program along with details about auditions, scheduling and general expectations. OVERVIEW History Madison Music Foundry began the Rock Workshop program in the fall of 2008. Since then we have had over 100 musicians ages 9-18 perform in nearly 30 bands, performed six live shows and recorded five CDs. Many parents have commented on their child’s increase in confidence and renewed interest in music as a result of their participation. Students have remarked on how Rock Workshop provides them with a very different experience than they get from school and often find that they can express themselves more creatively through this program. ***Starting in 2011 Rock Workshop is open to adults! How It Works Apply The first step in Rock Workshop is completing an enrollment form. The best way is online (see links below). There is also a form at the end of this packet which can be printed/scanned and emailed or dropped off at Madison Music Foundry. If you are 18, but still in high school, use the Youth form, otherwise all other applicants 18 or older should apply as Adults. Youth: http://tinyurl.com/RockWorkshopEnrollmentForm Adults: http://tinyurl.com/RockWorkshopEnrollmentAdult Audition After we receive all the applications, we will contact you to schedule a time for your placement audition (contact [email protected] for more information on auditions). We place students into bands based primarily on ability, age, and musical interest. However, sometimes need (i.e. for a particular instrument) and availability affect placement as well. Tuition Tuition is $375 and is due at the time of the audition. Included in tuition is: • An instructor for all eight rehearsals • All the gear needed for the rehearsals, recording and the gig • The recording studio rental including the recording engineer • Five CDs of your band’s recording • Rental of the High Noon Saloon including a live sound engineer We do offer need-based scholarships. Please contact us at [email protected] or by phone (608) 279-7766 for more information. Rehearsals Once students are placed into a band, we will contact you about scheduling a regular rehearsal (see below for the dates of the next session). Rehearsals last two hours and occur weekly for eight weeks. Often the last rehearsal is used as a dress rehearsal for Rock Workshop 2011 family members to hear the band’s progress. The band is expected to learn three songs of which at least one has to be an original. Madison Music Foundry provides all the amps, drums, keyboards, microphones and speakers needed for rehearsals. Students only need to bring their guitars, horns, drumsticks, etc. Recording After the eight weeks of rehearsals are complete, the band records at Blast House Studios. The recording session is four hours long which includes load-in, set-up, recording, mixing, and load-out. All the bands’ songs are placed on a CD which is handed out at the gig (though students will get a CD-R immediately after their recording session). Between the recording and the gig, bands are encouraged to get together on their own for a practice. Rehearsal space is available to bands to rent at Madison Music Foundry’s very reasonable rates which are especially reasonable when split between 4-5 band members. The Gig The Rock Workshop showcase usually takes place at the High Noon Saloon, a world-class music venue that regularly hosts touring national acts along with local talent. All the bands perform in one show and get 20 minutes to setup, play and takedown. Like rehearsals, Madison Music Foundry provides all the “backline” for the show (amps, drums, keyboards) while the High Noon Saloon provides their in-house PA system along with a sound engineer to run it. PHILOSOPHY We place a high value on creativity and teamwork, and so we like bands to have as much creative control as possible. Students collectively decide on their band name and set list and make decisions about songwriting and arranging. The instructor will provide guidance, answer questions, and make sure that the group is performing songs within its ability while staying on track to be ready for the recording and the gig. We find that the more students participate in their bands’ decisions, the more ownership they feel when they have a CD in their hand and when they feel the rush of the crowd going wild at the gig. EXPECTATIONS Students Rock Workshop is a collective effort. You are working with other musicians who are all striving towards the same goal. We expect that everyone treats each other with respect and is open to trying out others’ creative ideas. Having a good, positive attitude is hugely important when others are pouring their hearts into a song. Others in your band will give you the same respect in return. Parents Music today ain’t like what you listened to when you were young—just as your music probably doesn’t sound like what your parents listened to. At Rock Workshop we don’t judge whether a song is “good” or “bad” or “music” versus “noise.” We let the students decide that. Our job is to make sure they work together to rock and to be the best band they know how. If the students say, “We did it,” then we’ve done our job right. Everyone All of us are busy. We have schoolwork, jobs, sports, family trips, etc. However, once you’ve signed up, it is expected that you will participate in every rehearsal. This is hugely Rock Workshop 2011 important not just for musical development, but it sends a signal to the rest of the band that you’re committed. Just think how you’d feel if one of your band mates didn’t show up and didn’t tell anyone. That said, life doesn’t always play fair. So if there are any scheduling conflicts (or potential conflicts), please notify us BEFORE we schedule rehearsals. And if an issue comes up during the session, notify the instructor immediately. No rehearsals will be canceled or rescheduled without the instructor’s approval. Bands are welcome and encouraged to practice outside of their regularly scheduled weekly rehearsal. Please feel free to contact Madison Music Foundry about renting a rehearsal room. Communication Our prime method of communication will be email. It is expected that you check email regularly and will receive updates in a timely fashion. If this is not the case, please let us know right away, and we’ll make arrangements. AUDITION From your audition we want to learn what basic knowledge you have about music theory (chords and scales), how well you can play your instrument, and what your musical interests are. Because we cater to all levels of talent, we will accept nearly everyone who applies. However, there is one basic element that we need to satisfy: you must be able to play all the way through a song. It doesn’t matter how easy or simple the song is—just that you can play through from beginning to end. Because Rock Workshop bands only rehearse for eight weeks, we need to make sure everyone is able to fulfill the requirements of the program in that time period. That said, contact us at [email protected] for detailed information about what will be asked of you at the audition. Each instrument has requirements listed under different levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). If you think you know which level you are, take a look at the requirements for that level listed for your instrument, and see if you can play all of them. If not, feel free to ask us or your music instructor about any issues you may have. If you are in need of a music instructor, Madison Music Foundry has many quality teachers. PLACEMENT Ultimately the staff at Madison Music Foundry will make the final decision regarding your band placement. We will try to place you with other band members who are of a similar ability and have similar musical tastes. It is possible that you will be placed in a band which is not in your preferred style. However, we find that when musicians work well together, they are often able to make music that all the band members are in to. Rock Workshop 2011 SCHEDULE – SPRING, 2011 Rehearsals will generally be on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. The exact time for the recording will be determined after your rehearsal schedule is set. Please review the dates set aside for the recording to make sure you don’t have conflicts. The gig will take place during the afternoon (between noon and 5:00pm). Please double check this date to make sure you can make it! Specific dates are TBA, however, rehearsals will likely start the first weekend of February and the gig will be either the last weekend of April or first weekend of May. The recording session will be between the last rehearsal and the gig and will get scheduled once the band's rehearsal schedule is set. INSTRUCTORS Chris Boeger Chris has been playing bass (and guitar) for over 25 years. His father bought him a bass guitar, an electric guitar and an amp when he was 13. He immediately discovered that he liked playing guitar and that he LOVED playing bass. From garage bands in high school to playing locally and internationally today, Chris still loves playing bass (electric and upright) and has explored many styles: rock, blues, funk, jazz, country, bluegrass, celtic, samba, metal and many more.