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
Hey 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.
Hey 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
Hey 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
Listen to the Rock Camp Sign-Ups PSA:
Click below to listen…
Kenny Stahl is a singer, songwriter and audio engineer with a developing love for music and performance that began early in his life. Playing many instruments has been a passion of Kenny’s and has progressed to a career. In high school Kenny began to perform at local venues including bars and coffee houses. After developing a small following, he has now had the opportunity to play with many bands and songwriters in a variety of venues.
As a songwriter, Kenny wrote his first songs and released his first CD “The Kenny Stahl EP” at the age of 15. He wrote, produced, and released “Waste Your Days” at 17 and did the same with the release of “Back to School” at 19. Kenny is currently studying Audio Engineering at Michigan Technological University.
Kenny plans to continue working in the music industry in a number of specialties including performances in China this year, recording/producing many local musicians, and helping out with PJ’s Rock Camp!
You can find samples of his music at www.myspace.com/kennystahl or search for Kenny on Facebook. Be a fan, become a friend!
PJ and Kenny his the studios of the mix 93.5 wkmj this AM to hang with Dirk of The Dirkside morning show. If you caught them LIVE on the air, left us a comment. If you missed it, Dirk was kind enough to shoot us a recording.
Click below to listen…
Thanks to Dirk and the mix 93.5 crew for having us on by for a visit!
There is absolutely no doubt that our local media outlets – the newspaper, radio, television – played a huge role in getting the word out about the 2009 Rock Camp. With our ultimate goal of putting on a huge and exciting show for the campers and the community at large, we are looking forward to working with the many individuals in the media business who help make last years rock camp an exciting experience for everyone involved.
We will once again be doing our best to capture and post all of the various news and stories to this blog starting now with our first press release. If you happen to hear about the rock camp in the news… please post a comment to this blog! We would love to know about it!
(click here for last years videos, photos, and ramblings)
Its time to sign-up for the 2010 Rock Camp!
The Rock Camp will be holding sign-ups for placement on Sunday, May 23 and Saturday, May 29th from 10am to 5pm at its new studio located at the Superior School of Dance and Gymnastics in Hancock, MI.
The 2010 Rock Camp will be held from July 26th through August 6th , from 11am to 7pm daily. A special Little Rocker’s camp (ages 10 and under) will being August 2nd – 6th, 2pm – 5pm. Final shows will be held on August 6th and 7th.
(click on the picture for a full-size printable poster)
Here what kids and parents can expect from the 2010 Rock Camp:
The enrollment fee for the two-week rock camp experience is $375. This registration fee includes a meal, snacks, and an Official Rock Camp T-shirt. The registration fee for the “Little Rocker’s” camp is $150.
Questions? Send us a note at info@pjsrockamp.com!
This is the Rock Camp sign-up form form that will be used at the sign-up. Feel free to print out a copy of the form, fill it out in advance, and bring it with you to the sign-up. Click on the image below to open the sign-up form as a PDF document.
Looking for the 2009 Rock Camp video BLOG? Don’t sweat it, you’ve come to the right place. We are just making a little room for the 2010 Rock Camp.
We are changing things up a little for the 2010 Rock Camp. Details will be available soon (within the next week or so).
Keep an eye out at Good Times Music in Downtown Houghton or at the Superior School of Dance and Gymnastics in Hancock for Rock Camp 2010 sign-up information.
In the mean time, if you haven’t had enough of the 2009 videos, just browse to 2009.pjsrockcamp.com, all of the great stories, photos, and videos are still there.
More coming soon…
- Todd B.
Todd Brassard
Ray Bosley
Kenny Stahl