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Video #09 – Marshall Law on 3 Part Harmony
Posted in Uncategorized on July 30, 2010 by Todd Brassard
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Posted in About Us, Promotion on July 29, 2010 by Todd BrassardJoin us Saturday, August 7th, for the big Rock Camp final show!
Show starts at 7:30PM!
Music from all genres — classic rock — heavy metal — pop — techno — dance music — from Led Zeppelin to Lady Gaga – its all in show!
With performances by — PJ Olsson — Hannah Bethel — Kenny Stall — Rock Camp Dancers and — DJ Rain!
Video #06 – Meet the Bands “Dazed and Confused” and “The Returnables”
Posted in Videos on July 29, 2010 by Todd Brassard
Video #04: Meet the Bands “The Adventures of Darrell and Friends” and “The Murdering Promise”
Posted in Videos on July 27, 2010 by Todd Brassard
Video #03: Mike Irish on Rock Camp at Rozsa
Posted in Videos on July 27, 2010 by Todd BrassardWe ran into Mike Irish practicing in the band room. I asked him what he thought about the Rock Camp kids using the Rozsa Center for the Rock Camp.
Video #02: Rozsa Stage Tour
Posted in Videos on July 26, 2010 by Todd BrassardWe took a quick tour of the stage on Monday and talked about how we wanted it configured. When asked what gear we wanted on stage, we said “everything”, the entire backline!
Here is a little video of PJ thinking outloud on how the stage is going to be set up for the final show on Saturday, August 7th.
Watch the Video:
Video #01: Rozsa Load-In & Set Up
Posted in Videos on July 26, 2010 by Todd Brassard
(above Tim Ryan making short work of transporting an electronic drum kit that was donated to the Rock Camp by Michigan Tech)
The 2010 Rock Camp is getting under way. We spend the day loading our gear into the Rozsa Center and getting the numerous rehearsal rooms and practice spaces set up.
A big thanks to the boys of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, a number of our friends, and a few camp kids and parents for joining in the heavy lifting. Everything is coming together nicely. Let’s get this camp Rocking.
Here are a few shots from our Rozsa load-in and set up….
PJ and Todd visit the Dirkside
Posted in Press on July 21, 2010 by Todd Brassard
PJ and I stopped by The Dirkside morning show at mix 93.5 wkmj to hang with radio personality Dirk Hembroff (also a great vocalist and musician) to talk about the “goings on” at the Rock Camp. Dirk was kind enough to record the show which you can listen to right here, right now.
Click below to listen…
Thanks to Dirk and the mix 93.5 crew for having us on by for a visit!
Press Release – Rozsa Hosts Rock Camp
Posted in Press on July 20, 2010 by Todd BrassardHancock, July 19, 2010: PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp and the Michigan Tech Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts are pleased to announce that the 2010 Rock Camp will be hosted at the Rozsa Center located on the campus of Michigan Tech.
“What a dream come true to give these kids the opportunity to learn and be inspired, while being surrounded by such a great facility. I am very excited with this collaboration between the Rock Camp and the Rozsa Center to create such a positive message for parents, kids and everyone in our community”, says PJ Olsson, Creative Captain of the Rock Camp.
“Rock Camp? Love it!”, says Susanna Brent, the Director of the Rozsa Center. “We are very excited to be working with community centric programs like PJ’s camp for kids. When it comes to introducing kids to the Arts you have to find what they are passionate about before immersing them in ballet or Shakespeare, you have to reach them genuinely and with no pretense. This program does that. Teaching young artists is essential to our survival and we are thrilled to be a part of a program that is really reaching kids in this way.”
Rock Camp campers will benefit from the band, choir, art and dressing rooms for workshops and rehearsals, enjoy meals and snacks in the mezzanine, and experience creative instruction and demonstrations in the beautiful glass lobby and on the main stage at the Rozsa. “I have always been in love with the lobby of the Rozsa as a beautiful venue for events”, says Todd Brassard, Program Director for the Rock Camp, “and I’m very thankful to the Rozsa Center and Michigan Tech for making this venue available to our campers.”
The Rozsa Center is an important component in our community’s quality of life. The Rozsa offers many events, but—perhaps more importantly —it offers opportunities for participation in arts programs such as the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, art courses and workshops, theatre productions, Pine Mountain Music Festival and now PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp.” says Milt Olson, former Director of the KSO.
The Rozsa Center was built to provide the University community with a facility that could accommodate a wide range of artistic endeavors. From the most esoteric to the simplest entertainment, the facility was planned to meet the artistic interests and needs of the campus and the community. The Rozsa Center is dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere to challenge minds, celebrate ideas, explore possibilities, and create a memorable experience through the arts.
For more information about the Rozsa Center, PJ Olsson and the Rock Camp visit pjsrockcamp.com.
Rock Camp @ Rozsa Center! Yes!!
Posted in About Us on July 20, 2010 by Todd Brassard
It’s official! PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp 2010 will be hosted by the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts on the Michigan Technological University Campus.
Imagine two solid weeks of creative immersion in music for the Rock Camp kids in a visually beautiful, excellently-equipped, resource-rich, professional facility. What more could we ask for?
We asked much of Rozsa Director, Susanna Brent, and Rozsa Interim Production Manager, Kalen Larson and they delivered everything from professional gear to rehearsal space to the main stage. The Rock Camp kids will benefit greatly from the use of the band room, choir room, dressing rooms, mezzanine, the glass lobby, the mange stage and many other cool Rozsa spaces that are perfect for creative writing.
Our goal has always been to give our campers a realistic learning experience. Now, with the help of the Rozsa, we’ll be able to give them a real-world production environment as well. This is the real thing.
Finally, having the final show on the stage of the Rozsa is an amazing opportunity. Now all we have to do is figure out how to fill 1,100 seats on Saturday, August 7th.
- Todd
More Info Needed
Posted in Uncategorized on July 20, 2010 by Todd Brassard
Hey Parents and Campers!
We need a little more information about the Campers. We are trying to take care of a few of these details before Rock Camp starts so we can spend more time rocking and less time talking on the first day of camp.
Please fill out the form you find here!
Thank You!
Todd Brassard
Program Director
Rock Camp
Kenny’s Video Project
Posted in Instuctors on July 19, 2010 by Todd BrassardHey Everyone -
Here is a great little video written, directed, and shot by creative genius and Rock Camp instructor Kenny Stahl. Oh, let’s not forget it also stars Kenny Stall. The Rock Camp is all about creativity and trying out new ideas and this is a great example of both. Enjoy the video and check out the production notes by Kenny below.
- Todd
Production Notes by Kenny Stall
The video was for my Film Appreciation Class.
We had three days to film and edit the project. We were not allow to talk in the film as part of the assignment so I had to call myself and play back a voice message because then it is considered a sound effect.
We had to choose a specific “type” of story to film, ours was “man loses something, then finds it“.
I thought it would be funny for me to lose my band before a show and then I would have to go find them. Well, we then go on the idea that since I am a songwriter/engineer that it would be funny to have me find myself (as in I am my own band). We wanted to establish that I find myself or who I am in the most odd places.
The song itself existed before the concept as a demo and is still in need of some touch up work as far as I am a perfectionist when it comes to engineering. I was really proud of the tune in comparison to other songs I have been working on so I though it must be in the video.
The odd part about my style of writing is the words usually are the last thing I care about. I play guitar and open my mouth what ever comes out is generally what I keep. Let me tell you the downside to that, you get quite a bit of frustrated, angry, young adult messages. I sometimes miss the big picture in songwriting which makes me seem a little immature.
Glory, Glory was a song for me about frustration. The main idea is that I don’t much like to argue with people because it never leads to anything positive. I tend to be the guy who just accepts that somethings are just going to happen or be. Therefore the message is I don’t want to win the argument, but apparently you really do so you can have it.
With that being said I have played the song for people who have interpreted it as being religious, political, nothing … etc. I was fortunate enough to have something come out of my mouth that is general enough for people to establish their own meaning to it.
As far as what context that puts on the video, I came to realize that the two concepts (the video and the song) would make it seem like I am in a constant argument with myself.
If I had more time I would have finished editing the song and shot the video in a higher definition format, I think that the idea but I am an engineer so I want it to be crispy clean.
Volunteer at Rock Camp!
Posted in About Us on July 9, 2010 by Todd BrassardHey Friends -
When it comes right down to it, the Rock Camp, this creative musical program for kids, is being built up from scratch this year. Sure, last year’s camp was a blast, everyone had a great time, but this is the year, 2010, where we are really working hard to get this program off the ground and hopefully set the stage for many Rock Camps to come.
And wow, is there ever is a lot of work fun to be done had. This is where we are hoping you – the Rock Camp fans, friends, supporters, and sponsors - will come in – helping out as volunteers.
If you might be interested in volunteering some of your time or talent to help make this years rock camp a huge success for the kids and community, we would love to hear from you to talk about it. We can use your help with everything from printing up copies of chord charts, to serving (or even preparing) meals, to mopping the floors, to shooting video, to sending updates on twitter, to helping us refinish the bathroom – which needs a paint job.
If you are interested in volunteering your time, a service, anything… please send a quick e-mail to toddbrassard@brassardmedia.com. We need you!
Thank you!
- Todd Brassard
VIDEO: Rock Camp Sign-Ups
Posted in Videos on June 1, 2010 by Todd BrassardHey Rock Camp fans!
Here are a few video clips from Saturday’s sign-ups. Just under 30 kids stopped by to play for us and they were all great. I’m guessing we will have openings for another 6 to 8 Rock Campers and 2 to 5 Little Rockers. I can tell already we’re going to have need for bass and piano players. If you know any young people who play bass or piano… send a note to info@pjsrockcamp.com.
NOTE: Yes, yes, I know the intro graphic needs to be re-thought. I was just playing around with some quick ideas. When I showed it to my wife… she just looked scared and confused. That’s usually a sign I’m going in the wrong direction.
- Todd
Rock Camp Sign-Ups RADIO PSA
Posted in Press, Promotion on May 27, 2010 by Todd Brassard
Listen to the Rock Camp Sign-Ups PSA:
Click below to listen…
Todd Brassard
Ray Bosley
Kenny Stahl