The impact of the latest grant round of the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment could be clearly heard this week in downtown Bemidji.
The first-ever Rock Band Boot Camp is being held at Headwaters Music and Arts in Bemidji as 10 musicians, aged 8 to 18, are preparing for their weeklong camp to culminate on Friday afternoon with a live performance. The BAAE granted $800 for the camp.
For the students, the camp has offered additional layers of musical learning, outside of traditional private lessons.
“There’s a lot more singing, different instruments,” said Elyse Hanson, 10, who plays guitar and piano, and performs vocals as well. “I’m a little shy with singing. But when I’m with other people (on stage), I’m not as shy to sing in front of people because there’s other people singing with me.”
The youth who are taking part in the camp all have prior musical experience, having taken private lessons for at least a year. The band includes: drums, electric guitars, electric base, keyboard, ukulele, and cello.
Maddie Prim, 12, anchors the band at the drums. After playing the violin for a year, she studied piano for four years, before asking to learn the drums, which she has now been studying for a year and very much enjoys.
“I like doing the beat of different songs,” she said.
For the students, there seemed to be a different element to playing not only alongside but truly with their fellow musicians.
“I’ve never been in a band, like a real band with me doing the drums,” Maddie said. “It’s fun.”
Local musicians Annalise Aakhus, Lisa Dixon, and NikkiLee Nolden are leading the camp, with visits from special guests throughout the week as well. The students are learning a song a day, such as “All the Small Things” by Blink 182, “I Love Rock’n Roll” by Joan Jett, and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.
For Elyse, who plays guitar, one highlight of the camp has been exposure to a different type of instrument.
“My mom got me a(n acoustic) guitar because she didn’t want to pay for all the stuff for the electric guitar when I first asked for an electric guitar,” Elyse said, “so this is my time when I actually get to (play the electric guitar), which is really fun.”
