LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
A new Youth Rock Band project will not only give youth a creative outlet but will teach young musicians how to become successful in the music industry.
The program, presented by the Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association (ACRA), is being held at the Soundgarden in Coombs, led my musicians Mike Bauche and Sharon Tomczyk. It will also feature other music professionals and musicians who will work with the youth.
Instead of focusing on learning music and performing, this project will focus on the importance of working together as a team.
“One of the biggest reasons for bands falling apart and not sticking together is they don’t get along and there are conflicts,” said Bauche. “And that’s what ends up breaking them down.”
This program will take 12 applicants aged 12-17 who currently play an instrument (any skill level) and they will form a band.
They will explore songwriting, rhythm, band dynamics, the music business, sound engineering and recording, live performance methods and more.
Bauche is a singer-songwriter originally from Saskatoon who has been performing for over 12 years. He hosts the open mic night at the Vancouver Island University student pub and his most recent album with a female vocalist in Saskatoon is called The Field and the Sea, which came out in 2012. Bauche is also part of the Arrowsmith Recreation Team.
Tomczyk is the lead singer in an alternative rock band called Counting Time, which is about to launch its debut album.
She is also co-founder of the Soundgarden where she lead a jam and runs a community choir.
Thanks to an RDN grant, accessed in collaboration with ACRA, the cost for the 10-week program is only $25 per youth. The Soundgarden is also co-sponsoring the program to keep that fee low.
Local youth advisors chose this program out of many applications as one they would like to see in the community.
At the end of the program in May, during National Youth Week, the new band will do a public performance.
To apply youth need to describe their musical experience and abilities, list the instruments they play and describe briefly why they would like to take part in the program. Some instruments can be made available. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 7 to apply for the program.
Download the application form from the Soundgarden website http://www.thesoundgarden.org/lessons-and-workshops or on the facebook page called Youth Rock Band Project. Email the completed registration forms to Mike at prairysurf@hotmail.com.
The program runs March 2 to April 22 on Sunday afternoons at the Soundgarden from 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information email Mike at the email listed above or Sharon at sharon@thesoundgarden.org.