HAPPY CAMPERS—Members of the band Bleech were at the first summer rock camp, run by ‘Guitar’ Marty Hatlelid, and are now playing gigs around town.
Rockin’ good times
By Philip Raphael - South Delta Leader
Published: June 26, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: June 26, 2008 11:20 PM
Summer camp offers young musicians time to jam
Summer camps for kids don’t always mean setting up a tent, making wicker baskets and roasting marshmallows by the fire.
For some musically inclined youngsters it means learning some new riffs, broadening their vocal range, developing their confidence and stage presence, and finding their sound.
What makes this all possible is the third annual Rock School Summer Camp run by local guitar teacher “Guitar Marty” (Marty Hatlelid).
“I started playing in a band when I was about 12 or 13, but I don’t think we had anything as structured as what we offer the kids at the camp,” Hatlelid says. “Yes, we were pretty organized and efficient back then, but with the kind of environment we offer the kids here they get the help sooner and in a more structured way.”
The camp is open to budding musicians from ages 10 to 16 and each session runs for one week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s plenty of time for jamming with others and the chance to learn new styles and tunes. They get exposed to a professional photo shoot to establish that important image. Some of the playing sessions are recorded on video and a DVD is made to capture for posterity the early experiences of potential “rock stars,” Hatlelid says.
And to show what they’ve learned at camp, the students have the opportunity to perform at a show sometime in November.
The first time that was done the music campers played at a local restaurant. Now, the program has become so successful the Ladner Community Centre will be the venue.
“It’s a great chance for them to play, because they all want to perform,” Hatlelid says. “And for those who may have been a little reluctant, I tell them to feel the fear and get out there and have a good time because that’s what makes us all human.”
Over the past two rock camps one of the most satisfying aspects has been the development of some returning students.
“There’s one group (Bleech) who were at the first camp that now has little gigs going on all the time around town,” Hatlelid says. “And to see that is completely thrilling.”
More information about the rock school camps is available at www.guitarmarty.com.
n editor@southdeltaleader.com
