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R.O.C.K. Camp Underway for Local Teenage Musicians R.O.C.K. Camp Underway for Local Teenage Musicians

Campers will perform their original music for five full gigs at local venues.

By Griffin Della Penna

R.O.C.K. campers getting to play with one another for the first time in a newly created band.
© 2023 Griffin Della Penna

ANCHOR: Today is the start of the Redhouse Arts Center’s R.O.C.K. Camp for teenage musicians. NCC’s Griffin Della Penna is reporting live and has more on how the camp is developing the next batch of rockstars in Syracuse.

(Audio of Kids Playing Instruments)

DELLA PENNA: In its 12th year, R.O.C.K. Camp has evolved into Redhouse’s biggest educational program. Director Marguerite Mitchell recalls how small the event used to be. But now…

MITCHELL: it’s all instruments, all music genres, and a fun community tour. So it’s really kind of blossomed.

DELLA PENNA: In the final week of camp, musicians are split into bands and play five full set gigs at local venues in front of a live audience. Mitchell says the community had embraced the unique experience.

MITCHELL: They’re really supportive. So every single one of the venues is just welcoming the kids with open arms.

DELLA PENNA: The 25 musicians come from all skill levels. 17-year-old Brad Allyn is attending camp for the fourth time, but laughs about the growth he’s had over the years.

ALLYN: The first time I came to this R.O.C.K. Camp, I didn’t even know how to hold a guitar properly.

DELLA PENNA: Campers begin their Syracuse tour on Wednesday, August 9th at Funk n’ Waffles. Reporting live from Redhouse, Griffin Della Penna, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) —The Redhouse Art Center kicked off its 12th annual R.O.C.K. Camp for Central New York teens interested in showcasing their musical talents earlier today.

The two-week-long experience offers kids ages 13-17 instruction from local performers and musicians on how to play in a band setting. Campers write original music and practice before touring popular live music venues in Syracuse.

Director of Education Marguerite Mitchell helped launch the inaugural R.O.C.K Camp, (stands for Recording Studio Access, Original Songwriting, Community Tour, Kickstarting Careers) during her first year with Redhouse. Over that time, the camp become an event that is more inclusive than just playing rock music.

“We started out really, really small. So, it’s kind of evolved into various musical genres and various instruments besides just the traditional ones for kids to write their songs,” Mitchell said.

The traditional tour of live sets across Syracuse returns to R.O.C.K. Camp after three years off due to COVID-19. Mitchell and her team decided to live stream the bands from their studio to give the young musicians the feeling of playing in front of a live audience. When Redhouse reached out to the venues that campers played at in the past, they were overwhelmed with support.

“They’re welcoming the kids with open arms. They’re so excited to have the kids back and hear the music they’re creating. It’s great for them to see live music come back to downtown after being shut down for so long,” Mitchell said.

When camper 13-year-old Levi Hill-Gilbert heard about going into the community for live shows, he couldn’t hold back his excitement.

“I’m stoked for sure. [The staff] told us when we got here today about the gigs, and we’re going to do like five shows. I’m so excited for it,” Hill-Gilbert said.

 

Brad Allyn, 17, assisting a younger camper that also plays guitar.
Brad Allyn, 17, assisting a younger camper that also plays guitar.
© 2023 Griffin Della Penna

17-year-old Brad Allyn is attending R.O.C.K. Camp for the fourth time and views his role as a veteran to assist others over the next few weeks. “I can answer more questions and just be more helpful. It’s cool that I see part of myself in a lot of them already, so it’s a pretty unique experience,” Allyn said.

The future rockstars start their Syracuse tour on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Funk n’ Waffles. Campers will also play at Salt City Market, Everson Museum of Art, and Hanover Thursday’s. For more information, visit www.theredhouse.org.

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