PERFORMANCE PROGRAM HANDBOOK
Welcome to the SLAMROCK PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, a year-round after-school and summer program that enrolls ages K-12 through age 19. Students meet weekly for 2-hour group lessons given in the form of rehearsal sessions. Each session has up to 16 students called a 'Crew'. If you attend on Tuesdays at 6 pm, you're a Crewmember in 'T6 Crew'.
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LIFE LESSONS THROUGH MUSIC
In addition to learning how to play in a band, Crewmembers are empowered with the life-lessons of self-reliance, time management, generosity, mutuality and cooperation/teamwork.
INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING IN A GROUP SETTING
Crewmembers learn at their own pace with more experienced musicians pulling-up less experienced ones with no one being held back from achieving. Each student is challenged to overcome obstacles, gain confidence and be inspired by one-another and our mentors, while performing quarterly showcases as they learn how to be good and reliable bandmates.
INDIVIDUAL REPERTOIRE DEVELOPMENT
When a Crewmember is confident that they can play the song form; the intro, verses, choruses, solos and bridges, to get a new song, they ask to pass off on that song with our staff who let the Crewmember(s) know if they are playing their part correctly enough to earn a next song.
EVERYONE GETS PULLED-UP & NO ONE GETS HELD-BACK
Once the Crew reaches 18 members, the session is beyond capacity and the a new session will be offered to make room for everyone. Currently, we are looking at expanding to a Monday 4 pm Crew, and have made tentative arrangements for this with several families.
HOW IT WORKS...
The example below shows Monday & Tuesday Crews. The other crews and shows follow similarly.
Year-round, each Crew performs seasonal shows every 13 weeks.
Show date are at this link.
Above: 14 Crews of 16 each = over 190 Crewmembers performing as many as 56 Seasonal Shows (X) on a staggered year-round schedule.
Below are examples of show dates for four Crews; M4, M6, T4 and T6:
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ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY
• An excused absence is defined as due to illness, family or school conflicts.
• 2 unexcused absences per 13-week season are subject to probation and possible dismissal.
• Sessions start and end on time, as scheduled. 2 Tardies = 1 Absence, subject to the above.
• Must give 30-days notice of withdrawal in consideration of other students, staff and program.
GET THE SLAM APP TODAY!
SAFE, MODERATED SOCIAL/MUSIC NETWORKING FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS AT THIS LINK
• Supports teacher, student and parent privacy communications for updates, learning materials and more.
• Supports parent, teacher and student privacy. No email, text or phone number-sharing required.
• Supports carpools, birthday parties, parent groups, BBQs, blogs and fundraisers.
• Supports SLAM growth because Email, text and social media are not scalable or safe for younger kids.
SLAM APP & DESKTOP LOGIN TO GET THE BIGGER PICTURE
Once you have your parent and Crewmember's profile made on the SLAM app, use your desktop or laptop to see the bigger picture at SLAM
YOUR PRIVATE LESSONS AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
• A good teacher will teach you how to learn the songs on your own, not teach them to you.
• Learn as best you can on your own and then ask your teacher for help when you get stuck!
• A good teacher will use the song to teach you the theory and technique in that song.
• Lessons with SLAM teachers will give you more success in this program. Not required. Just a fact.
• You must be in instrument lessons to be in PP, or be excused from taking lessons by PP staff.
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
• Learn 1 song monthly, at minimum. 2 songs monthly is average. We do not limit your learning.
• Students who do not learn at least 1 new song monthly may be asked to step-dewn to the Core Program.
• SLAM does not reward talent. Talent is not fair, so SLAM rewards individual progress.
YOUR 'BURNOUT SONG' IS ANOTHER KID'S 'TREASURE SONG'.
For example, if you have been playing the super-popular beginner rock song, Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for a couple of seasons, and new, younger student is going to play that song next, please encourage the younger Crewmember to learn that song so that they can relieve you.
WANT MORE? HERE ARE OUR OTHER PROGRAMS:
FESTIVAL BANDS PROGRAM
Festival Band is an add-on program to the Performance Program that holds auditions each April and runs from May-September in 60/90-minute rehearsals starting in May for an additional $75 monthly fee. Festival dates are announced at least 60 days in advance and work around family vacations.
FREE JAZZ JAM WITH Dr. JOHN PETRUCELLI & FRIENDS: Monthly on Sundays from 6- 9 pm:
November 21 • December 19 • January 23 • March 13
FREE DIY STUDIO ACCESS ACCESS TO JAM, CREATE & HAVE FUN!
Just ask the Studio Manager to schedule free studio time.
SUMMER CAMPS
June, July August dates to be announced in February
Monday-Friday • 9 am - 2 pm • 25 hour • Includes showcase on Friday
• songwriting • recording camp
• jazz-rock fusion • band camp for kids who can not attend during the school year
SLAM CALCULUS
Considering the songs for a typical seasonal showcase, the songs are assigned, learned and rehearsed in order. SLAM staff organize as many as 18 Crewmembers in 3 studios to rehearse 1 of as many as 6 parts in 20 songs. 3 Studios X 6 Parts X 20 = 1,800 variables each season. Add playing ability, personality, and taste in music and there are even more variables.
WHY A CREW AND NOT A BAND?
Looking at the five SLAMROCK Programs, the Performance Program is the prep program for the Festival Bands Program. The reason that we do not place students in bands without auditions is that a band is too small of a circuit, or not a large enough milieu. Like a sports teams, there are healthier team dynamics that come into play at 10-15 than 5-9 young people. Last, having bands prevents new enrollments due to no band openings. Then we get a waiting list.
HOW MUCH PLAYING TIME WILL MY CHILD HAVE EACH SESSION?
Considering the variables above, adding variables like attendance, tardiness and each crewmember's commitment, we want your child playing music from the time they arrive, until the time leave the studio. We serve all who qualify for enrollment in the performance program and do not have a waiting list. We calll this 'open enrollment'.
OPEN ENROLLMENT VS AUDITIONS
'Open enrollment' is how we accommodate new students. We will not block a student from enrolling because they are the 7th guitar player or 4th drummer. We will enroll them, and for an undeterminable period of time, we mave have one or two students who will sit out on a song. We do all that we can to prevent this, but for our program to succeed, we need students. It is a balancing act that we are good at, and when this happens, if it appears to be taking 'too long' to form a new session, we may ask to lengthen your session to 2.5 or 3 hours if needed.
SEASONAL SHOWCASES: POT LUCK DINNER, LIVE STREAM, AWARDS CEREMONY
THE VENUE
SLAM Seasonal Showcaseswill be held in December, April, June and September at the old Art Factory, 193 W 2100 South in SLC at the Central Pointe Trax Station just east of the Best Buy store. Free parking or take Trax. The old Arts Factory sign is still up, and that sounds artguably cooler for kids, but for the record, it is now The Center for Spiritual Living - a non-denominational church.
SLAMILY POT LUCK DINNER
The venue has a food service counter with refigerator for buffet service that leads to the enourmous venue area. SLAM will need volunteers to help set-up and strike the folding chairs and 8' rounds with tablecloths.
FLOOR PLAN
STAGE
ROWS OF CHAIRS
ROWS OF CHAIRS
8-PERSON ROUND
8-PERSON ROUND
8-PERSON ROUND
8-PERSON ROUND
8-PERSON ROUND
8-PERSON ROUND
STANDING AUDIENCE
STAGE PRODUCTION: Lights, Sound, etc - all high quality!
LIVESTREAMED! Multi-camera live stream anywhere in the world! Here are two samples:
AWARD CEREMONY
Each season, SLAM gives three award certificates:
GOODNESS OF SPIRIT AWARD: Awarded to the crewmembers who brings a great attitude, selfless service and 'good vibes' to the Crew.
MOST PROGRESS AWARD: Awarded to the crewmember who overcame the most obstacles in a season to make the most progress!
BEST STAGECRAFT: Awarded to the crewmember who helped turn a set list into a show the most in the last Showcase!
