Rather than marching band music, young instrumentalists are getting their rock band on – playing the music of Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar and Nirvana, among other artists.

 

It’s all part of Rock Camp, a five-day learning experience that takes place annually at Bandland in Clarksburg.

 

On Monday, Instructor/Organizer Matt Schoonmaker started with about 16 young musicians – ages 10 to 18 – from throughout Harrison County and surrounding areas. By Friday, there will be two full rock bands, capable of playing a variety of classic rock and top 10 tunes.

 

“The kids give me song suggestions and I decide quickly if we’re able to do them,” Schoonmaker said. “We have to learn them quickly. We started with a list of about 40 songs. Each band will perform eight each.”

 

Those performances will take place 7 p.m. Friday, July 17 at Main Street Café in Clarksburg and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Charles Pointe. Members of the public are invited to attend the shows at no cost.

 

Rock Camp has been taking place every day this week at Bandland; the first band practicing 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the second band practicing from 12-2 p.m.

 

“I throw songs at them and we learn how to play in a rock band,” Schoonmaker said.

 

Serving as his assistant this year is Hannah Cottrill, a BHS student musician.

 

“I call her my student teacher,” Schoonmaker said. “She’s been doing this so long and I needed help with guitar parts so she stepped up and helped me.”

 

Cottrill, who has been Schoonmaker’s drum student for six years and has taken part in Rock Camp since it started eight years ago, will be playing in one of this year’s bands. She contributes guitar, bass and vocal talents.

 

Other Bridgeport students participating are Erica Cottrill (vocals, guitar, bass); Aaron Walden (bass); Bo Herron (guitar), Caden Shmigalsky (drums/percussion) and Eliana Henriquez (drums). 

 

Students from Clarksburg, Fairmont and Braxton County are also taking part in the camp.

 

Each year, area students apply for Rock Camp by completing an application. Schoonmaker said he never turns interested kids away.

 

“I just see what their experience level is and try to put young kids with more experienced kids,” he said. “They can participate up to the year after they graduate from high school then I graduate them too.”

 

Some former Rock Camp students have been inducted into the Rock Camp Hall of Fame.

 

“We started that a few years ago. After participating three years, they are eligible,” Schoonmaker said.

 

Bridgeport students who are part of the hall of fame are Isaac Riffle, Brooke Cottrill, Olivia Hrko and Jacob Curry.

 

Participants of Rock Camp gain multiple benefits.

 

“They get to meet kids from the area and get involved. They get to play their instruments outside of the house or practice room and learn how to form a rock band,” Schoonmaker said. “It’s a good opportunity to get together and play music live and perform for parents and friends. That’s a lot of fun.”

 

The ultimate goal is to equip the students with enough musical  knowledge and confidence to form their own rock band. That goal has been accomplished several times.

 

The Cottrill girls – who all are passionate about their music and come from a very musical family – play in a band named “Bullets and Bracelets.” Another band, featuring Clarksburg students, recently formed also, Schoonmaker said.

 

Neither band has a name yet, but by show time they will, he said.

 

When Rock Camp started eight years ago, the inspiration was to get kids off the couch and away from video games like Guitar Hero.

 

“We wanted to get real instruments in their hands and now days the real instruments have blown the video games out of the water – so that is good,” Schoonmaker said. 

 

Students involved in the Rock Camp bands are as follows:

 

Band 1: Erica Cottrill of BHS, vocals, bass guitar

Bo Herron of BHS, guitar, vocals

Alexandra Wodnicki, homeschooled, of Clarksburg, guitar, vocals 

Aaron Walden of BHS, bass guitar

Carrie Wickline of Liberty High School, drums

Caden Shmigalsky of BHS, drums/percussion

 

Band 2: Summer Quickle of Mountaineer Middle, vocals

Morgan Linger of Fairmont Senior High School, guitar

Cameron Huff of Robert C. Byrd High School, guitar

Aaron Walden of BHS, guitar

Robin Frey of Braxton County Middle School, bass

Eliana Henriquez of BHS, drums

Caden Shmigalsky of BHS, drums/percussion

 

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of Matt Schoonmaker. Pictured from top are Hannah Cottrill, Bo Herron and Aaron Walden, Carrie Wickline, Aaron Walden and Hannah and Erica Cottrill.