Kids ready to live out their dream of performing on stage, serenading an audience while their inner musician takes control will have the chance at Ball State this summer.
The first session of Rock and Roll Summer Camp started last week and will end on Saturday.
Camp founder Chris Swinney said he was inspired to find an outlet for children ages 11-18.
"A lot of the teachers I was working with were planning recitals and what not," he said. "That is cool, but I thought it would be cooler to have a huge full band concert.
Swinney isn't new to helping kids with their music. He teaches guitar lessons at Muncie Music Center and is in a band called The Ataris.
Swinney's ex-bandmate Bryan Nelson and his friend Gavin Smith help him with the camp. Together, they teach the children all the funadmentals of how to manage a successful band, no matter where they're from.
Swinney said he was a huge fan of the movie "School of Rock." where the main character played by Jack Black poses as a substitute teacher at an elementary school and turns the class into a rock band.
"It just made sense to do," he said. "Also, no one helped me learn the ropes when I was a young musician...I want to help."
About 30 to 40 children attend each session, and some children return every year.
A typical day at camp consists of putting the children into bands and after this point they will choose the songs they want to learn and perform at the end to an audience. Not only are the children learning about how to strum a guitar, but they will also learn the valuable lessons of stage presence, song structure, booking and merchandise, Swinney said.
The children will also learn how to run the light and the sound board because there are more ways to be involved with music that does not involve playing an actual instrument, he said. Each part plays a vital role to a band's success.
At the end of each camp session, the children also exposed to different styles of music that they most likely have not heard of, which Swinney refers to as music appreciation.
Not only are the children learning valuable fundamental lessons regarding music, but they are learning valuable life lessons along the way of discovering their inner musician. Swinney said one thing he hopes that the children take from the camp is to be an individual.
"We talk everyday about being an individual...be yourself. Like whatever bands you want, and not to care what anyone else says," he said. "I grew up in punk rock and metal, and it was always about non conforming and being yourself. And that is what I want the kids to know.
"They are perfect being themselves, music is something that is so personal and is so powerful."
Once the week of camp is over, it is time to show their talents to a live audience consisting of friends and family at Center Stage in downtown Muncie.
"The kids always do an amazing job," Swinney said. "I always get a little choked up by the end of the night."
Swinney said the camp is a rewarding experience not only for the kids, but for himself as well.
"I feel that I am truly making a difference in my community. Bands that have started at camp have gone on to release records, tour and much more," he said. "It makes me happy to jump start the new generation of musicians."
The second summer session for the camp is July 22-31.
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