While the MusicBox Studios offer a relatively unrestricted environment for youth to explore music and instruments, they feature a variety of programs, which provide focus and direction for the students involved. Programs are staffed by expert musicians and “music technologists,” (i.e., persons well-versed in the intricacies of digital recording). Staff comprises paid individuals, volunteers, and guest artists/speakers. Instrument-specific programs offer multiple educational approaches from traditional mastery of fundamental techniques to teaching students how to play specific songs of their choosing.
- Guitar is designed for students of varied musical inclinations, from those who want to “rock out” on an electric guitar to those who are more interested in acoustic stylings.
- Drums provides opportunities for students to “groove” on an electric trap set or acoustic set (depending on location), learn techniques for getting multiple tones from a conga drum, or just grab a drumstick and a cowbell and join the jam session!
- Digital Beats introduces students to the world of computerized drum machines, rhythm looping programs, and percussion synthesizers.
- Keyboard demonstrates basic keyboard techniques as well as the fundamentals of synthesizers and electronic keyboard sound generation.
- Out Loud! is for budding vocalists. Various techniques are used to help students literally “find their voice.”
- Turntables focuses on “scratching” and DJ techniques for students interested in modern hip-hop and techno music styles
Additional Notes for Notes/MusicBox programs explore musical opportunities that go beyond the fundamentals of music making and recording. These programs are offered on a semi-regular and/or as appropriate basis, and include:
E-Label for learning how to share and/or sell your finished musical compositions via the Internet.
Score! for learning the fundamentals of writing music for film and video. Opportunities will be made available to work on actual projects with local filmmakers.
LIVE! for preparing students for live performance and giving them actual stage experience at local venues, essentially the Notes for Notes version of “gigging.”
Learn from a Legend is a guest artist program where noted musicians and industry professionals share their knowledge with MusicBox participants. Previous artist appearances include Jack Johnson, Martin Gore, P-Nut, Robin Thicke and Ziggy Marley.
Watch Jack Johnson jam at the MusicBox with the kids:
Ziggy Marley playing for the MusicBox
Jamming with P-Nut of 311
