Making Rock Stars at Music Matters Summer Camp

publication date: May 12, 2008

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author/source: Kate Copsey / STAFF

By Kate Copsey/ STAFF

In just four years the Music Matters Summer Camp has gone from literally nothing to being voted the best summer camp in Greater Atlanta (Atlanta Magazine, December 2007).

The idea started when Aaron Soriero, president of Music Matters, saw his students doing summer camps in the area and decided he would try to run a camp of his own. Jeff Tarae, the C.O.O. of Music Matters admits that the camp “has helped the business overall.”

The camps run for one week, and there are four camps, all held in June. Although each one is run in the same way, different songs are performed, so students that attend more than one session will still get plenty of benefit.

The focus of the camp is geared to both musical accuracy and performance techniques. Each morning a different skill is demonstrated. Everything from windmill arms to knee slides across the stage is as much a part of a performer’s act as how he plays the guitar. Recording techniques and sound mixing are also part of the morning sessions.

Every afternoon the group divides into smaller units to practice as a band. The average band consists of four or five players, including guitar and drums if possible. The students are left to make their own choice of band mates, most groups start forming when campers gravitate towards people in their age group and people with similar music interests on the first morning. Adjustments are made if necessary to ensure that everyone is matched with equally experienced group members as well as agreeable musical tastes.

The students do not have to be proficient at an instrument to enjoy the camp, and Soriero recommends that his campers “have a few months of basic instrument training,” to derive the full camp benefits.

All instruments and singers are welcome at the camp. Guitars and drums are traditionally the most common, but by camp time virtually all instruments are represented.

“The keyboard and piano group get the greatest benefit from the camp,” Soriero said.

Occasionally a challenge is presented, such as when one student came with a mandolin. But that dilemma worked out well when the right music was selected.

The camp also teaches skills that cannot be taught in a private lesson, among them: sound checks, how to start and end a song and keeping time with the other bank members. “They learn how to work through problems,” Tarae said. “In the lesson they have their own goals, but now they are part of a group.”

What music the band plays is entirely up to them, the variety of music can range from country to modern rock. The school is equipped with a computerized song bank that contains the music for just about any song that the band would want to play. When the students go into a rehearsal room, or lesson room, the computer in the room will display all the tabs needed for the selection. Students who want to practice at home can also log onto the system and access their music that way. Some rooms allow for recording as well.

Younger age groups, such as eight or nine-year-olds, will concentrate on one song for the performance. Older musicians may opt for two or even three songs.

The final performance utilizes professional equipment, which includes strobe lights, a fog machine and other fun extras to make the whole performance have the feel of something truly special. The final show is performed at Roswell High School.

A new camp session will kick-off every Monday between June 2 and June 23.

Drop off is as early as 8:30 but camp starts at 9 a.m. The day finishes at 3 p.m., but arrangements can be made for a later pick up.

Music Matters is at 614 Crossville Rd, Roswell, GA 30075 and can be reached at 770-650-6550 or www.musicmatters101.com