It’s not Merriweather Post Pavilion. It’s not the Centennial Park stage. It’s not even the family garage.
It’s a 9-foot-by-20-foot rehearsal room at Mike’s Music in Ellicott City, where big sounds and even bigger dreams resonate.
Here, at the shop’s 16-week rock band class, one of several offered as part of musical instruction at local businesses, students ages 6 to 18 become amateur rock stars. They emulate groups like Twisted Sister, Imagine Dragons and Coldplay through guitars, keyboards, drums and even violins. They create band names like Room 08 and The Fletch Effect, and prepare for end-of-session live shows.
But to the students, rock band class is more than just “rocking out” for two hours each week. Newcomers say it has taught them the importance of working together, while graduates say it led them to become more confident performers and even consider careers music.
“Private lessons are needed to learn your instrument, but the rock band class gives the students the experience of playing music with other actual human beings,” says Mike Gordon, who owns Mike’s Music with his wife, Haley. “Playing with other people in a band setting adds excitement and sometimes a renewed love of their instrument.”
Come Together
At a recent Saturday practice, Room 08 band members surround instructor Andrew Auburger in the shop’s rehearsal room.
“Let’s start with ‘Bittersweet Symphony,’” Auburger says. “We’re going to go up to the first two minutes today — essentially the second verse. Hannah, remember we’re doing the double snare. Bobby, why don’t you lay down the rhythm for me? Remember, really big, open, suspended chords.”
Bobby Potter, 13, of Ellicott City nods and begins playing The Verve’s iconic song from 1997 on his guitar, while Auburger accompanies him on bass. Auburger, who also teaches private guitar, bass and ukulele lessons, is part teacher, part band leader in rock band class.
“When it comes to private lessons, I try to motivate my students to reach whatever personal goal they see as a success, whether that’s to get into a college music program or just learn a few songs for fun,” he says. “When it comes to the rock band, I try to remind students that the reason they wanted to do this is to have fun and play great music.”
Michael Clancy, 11, of Ellicott City joins in after Bobby, stoically playing the song’s distinct introduction on his violin.
Max Hollis, 11, of Sykesville adds his guitar, followed by Hannah Witkin, 13, of Elkridge on the drums. Max and Bobby are the humorists of the group, playing off each other on guitar. (Later, they dress Bobby’s guitar case in hoodies and hats.) Hannah, who sits between them, is quieter — until it comes to her instrument. The drums, Hannah says, are much more physical than and give her more freedom than her other instrument, the cello, she says.
As Hannah beats out the rhythm, Olivia Edwards, 12, of Ellicott City begins singing the lyrics in a voice that Haley Gordon describes as a combination of Taylor Swift and The Black Keys.
“Good,” Auburger says as the group finishes the second verse. “That’s really solid. … Let’s move on.”
All rock band students have also taken private lessons at Mike’s Music. Throughout the year, Haley Gordon and staff member Rachel Ather work with instructors to identify candidates based on students’ musical abilities and personalities.
“It’s important to us to make sure we match all the students up well because the most important thing is for them all to have fun and enjoy playing music together,” Ather says.
For example, Ellicott City residents Michael Bassler, 17, Harry Fletcher, 14, and Jackson Rowles, 13, who play the guitar, drums and guitar, respectively, all enjoy video games. So during class, Auburger encouraged them to play a medley of video game theme songs featuring favorites like “Super Mario Bros.”
“It’s successful because it stays fun, and we’re playing songs that they like,” Auburger says. “We go with their tastes.”
For Room 08, experience level and love of their instruments is the common thread, Auburger says.
Like most new bands, the students in Mike’s Music classes have to learn to navigate the challenges that come with group dynamics. For the members of Room 08, rock band class is the first time they have played music with others. It took a few weeks for bandmates to understand the importance of working together, they say.
“Everyone getting along for two hours can be tough,” Olivia says. “All in the same room. We all get on each other’s nerves at times. … But it’s good to get another person’s opinion.”
“You realize not everything revolves around your instrument,” Bobby adds. “… If one part fails, then the whole band’s going to go downhill.”
Soon enough, bandmates say they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and work together to produce a cohesive sound. That’s when the real fun begins, they say. Songs start to flow, and the students can have more freedom with their respective styles.
Bobby taps his heel on the ground and nods his head to the beat, his eyes focused on his left hand as his fingers rapidly change position across the guitar’s neck. Tossing her hair away from her face, Olivia moves closer to the microphone, belting above the pounding drums and roaring guitars.
“The best part about the class sessions are after we have each learned our parts to a song and we all come together to make music,” Hannah says. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment you can only get when practicing with real people instead of practicing alone with a soundtrack.”
“It’s just a fun, great experience,” Bobby adds. “There’s no other way to put it.”
Dream On
More than 100 students have participated in the rock band class since its inception in 2010. Graduates have gone on to start their own bands, study music in college and even join Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, the marching band that performs at the football team’s home games.
Guitarist Cole Becker, 15, of Ellicott City, participated in eight straight rock band classes. While he’s taking a break this session, the class has inspired him to create his own rock band.
“Music has had the biggest impact on my life and is really a part of who I am now,” he says.
His Mike’s Music and The Fletch Effect bandmate Lianna McGreevy, 17, agrees. The Elkridge teenager, who plays the keyboard and piano, says the class made her more confident both on stage and off.
“I’ve gotten better about being in front of people, especially when I have a group with me,” she says. “I’ve gotten a lot better at keyboard, guitar and singing because of it.”
While the students have yet to secure a record deal, they get a taste of rock star life at the end of each session, performing live at venues like Shuckers Tap & Grill in Glen Burnie.
“Playing shows is great, and there’s nothing like it,” Becker says. “It gives you a chance to get your name out there and have people listen to you. Guitar is basically my life, and when I have the chance to share it with someone, I take it.”
Watch out, Merriweather Post Pavilion.