By Myki Angeline
Music is life. It is present in our day to day routine. Some of our fondest childhood memories are attached to our favorite songs. Music gets us through menial chores, that dreaded homework assignment, and our long commute home from work. Many of us dream of playing in a band, be it as the singer or the guitarist. Fortunately for young girls and women, we have music camps like Girls Rock Sacramento.
The Sacramento Girls Rock music camp is affiliated with the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, a non-profit program created in 2007 in Portland, Oregon at the initiative of the Rock n Roll Camp For Girls (2001). GRS launched into their 2nd year, completing two mini camps and one week long teen camp in the Summer of 2017. This Fall they are holding another Ladies Rock Camp specifically for adult women. Their mission is to help girls and those who identify as girls build self esteem through music education, collaboration, empowerment, a supportive community of peers and mentors, and the development of leadership skills. Many of the young women who join have no prior musical experience. The only requirement is your desire to learn, and with GRS you get that and so much more.
Allie Bogetich is one of the music coaches who shared her story with The Octagon. Currently a college freshmen, her experience comes from playing drums in concert band and jazz band. Allie and many others are volunteers, donating their time and experience to Girls Rock Sacramento.
You can read the full interview here: Freshmen Plays Drums In Girls Rock Camp.
What makes this music camp unique is that most of these young women have never met before they start the camp. All participants are assigned to an instrument of their choice, or as the singer on day one, and by day five will have written, composed, and practiced one original song. Plus, they may have learned to play an instrument for the first time. At the end of the week, a showcase is presented so that each band can perform their original tune to an audience of their peers, family, and music supporters.
The Teen Camp Showcase took place at the Ace of Spades venue in downtown Sacramento, California. These first time musicians performed on the same stage as some of the most recognized names in the music industry like Snoop Dog, Suicidal Tendencies, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Lita Ford, Third Eye Blind, Quiet Riot, and Yelawolf.
For more information and to sign up for a camp, visit their website: girlsrocksacramento.com
Teen band Riddiance performs “Not Your Babe” at Ace of Spades!
