Hannah Cottrill is a well-known rocker at Bridgeport High School.

 

She’s also a seven-year student of Bandland’s Rock Camp, where she has not only received hands-on instruction with bass, guitar, drum and vocal pursuits, but also has made important musical connections – and a lot of great friends with whom she shares a common passion.

 

Just last week, she wrapped up her 2014 experience at the downtown Clarksburg music shop and instruction outlet. From start to finish, it was an all-inclusive learning opportunity.

 

“Every morning, we’d go in and Matt (Shoemaker, Bandland percussion instructor) would pull out a chord sheet and say that we were going to play that song,” Cottrill said.

 

Many times, that classic rock song was one she and her fellow “Rock Campers” had never heard before and that presented a particular challenge – one met by the students with enthusiasm.

 

“For example, one song we did was ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin,” Cottrill said. “Matt played the song over the speaker so we could all listen to it together. The drummer had to figure out what beat he was going to use, the singer had to listen for the melody and we all had to listen to our own respective parts and how it would all fit together.”

 

The rockers also practiced newer tunes too; those by Paramore and Fall Out Boy included.  Musicians ranged in age and skill ability. The youngest was 12-year-old Conner Linger and the oldest was 17-year old Isaac Riffle. They were divided into bands not so much by age, but to make sure each ensemble had the instrumentation needed, Cottrill said.  Other Bridgeport students participating were Olivia Hrko, Aaron Walden and Cottrill’s sister Erica. This week, another “Rock Camp” is being held. Bridgeport’s Bo Herron is among students participating.

 

Kids taking part in both camps will come together for a July 20 “Rock Camp” concert at Main Street Café in Clarksburg. The performance starts at 6 p.m.

 

Cottrill looks forward to an opportunity to showcase the results of this year’s Rock Camp. As it has through the years, the experience brought her a variety of rewards.

 

“When I first started going seven years ago, I was young and wanted to meet a ton of musicians from all over the area. Now, I’ve grown pretty close to a lot of kids who go to rock camp and I really enjoy going and talking to them and getting to play concerts with them,” she said.

 

Several bands have resulted from relationships formed at Rock Camp.

 

“We try to get together and go out and play even after camp,” Cottrill said.