Indiana State University Newsroom

School may be out for summer, but it's not out forever.

The Community School of the Arts at Indiana State University has a summer solution for teens who want to have a blast while learning a musical instrument. The CSA will hold its second annual Rock Camp! from July 19-24.

The camp is an intense, five-night and six-day residency or commuter program that educates students in different aspects of performance with instruction from Indiana State School of Music faculty and students and professional musicians. Teens entering grades 10 and up this fall may register as residents, while those entering grade 9 may register as commuters.

Rock Camp! is an exciting summer opportunity for any high-school student who loves rock music, from the advanced learner to the student who is picking up an instrument on the first day-with the choice of one or more of the five traditional rock instruments: guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, or voice. After choosing their instruments, students will receive music education based on their level of knowledge. When students aren't rocking out and learning about performance, they will gain insight into the history, gear management, show development and marketing of rock music, while working their creative and critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and increasing their self-esteem. Fun and engaging music-based activities are held in the evenings including Talent Show and African Drum Circle.

"The students and instructors are one group, together all week, and they play and learn about music for six days straight," said Petra Nyendick, director of the Community School of the Arts. "We start at 8 in the morning and we go until 10 at night and all we do is break for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And other than that, we jam, we learn instruments, we learn about gear and equipment, a little bit about rock history and how to market our bands. By the end of camp, students are ready to perform their rock concert!"

The reason for teens to go, she said, is simple.

"It's an intense educational experience, but bottom line, it's so much fun."

In addition to practicing with the group, each camper will receive private lessons from the instructors, and participants put their skills on display for a performance at the end of the week.

For high school students who want to take advantage of the residence halls and spend the entire week among friends, the price is $525. Jones Hall will house the boys while Hines Hall will house the girls-both facilities are air-conditioned, double-occupancy, and feature a private bathroom per room. For students who wish to commute, the price is $300. Generations Restaurant will provide all-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, included in the price of the resident fee.

Rock Camp! sign-in is scheduled for 1- 3 p. m. on July 19, and the experience will end at 9 p.m. July 24. Students will close the week with final performances for family and friends to showcase everything they have learned.

For more information, please call the CSA office at (812) 237-2575. Check out www.unboundedpossibilities.com/csa for instructor biographies, an overview of the activities, and a complete schedule.

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-KjW3c6C/0/X3/i-KjW3c6C-X3.jpg - High school students practice during the 2014 Rock Camp, hosted by Indiana State University's Community School of the Arts.

Contact: Petra Nyendick, director, Community School of the Arts, Indiana State University, Petra.Nyendick@indstate.edu

Writer: Kristen Kilker, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, 812-237-3773 or kkilker1@sycamores.indstate.edu