Jam Sessions
The Basics
Our student Jam Sessions are a great opportunity for students to get to play together as a part of a band, in a laid-back, fun and supportive environment. Playing as a part of a band is very different than playing on your own; it can be a great learning experience, and a lot of fun. As a bonus, we provide pizza and sodas for performers at these events!
For students who are interested, we help them prepare the songs that will be performed by working on them in their regular weekly lessons, and we place students together into bands.
Our Jam Sessions are an excellent way for students to enjoy the thrill and energy of playing in a band, while learning to work together as musicians. Playing as part of a group is one of the best ways to instill confidence, grow as a musician, and stay motivated to improve your skills! Many students don't have the opportunity on their own to play as a part of a band. But with our Jam Sessions, we make it easy for students do just that! There is a “living, breathing” aspect to music that is really experienced as students play together!
These Jam Sessions can be a great learning experience and they are open to all of our students! We intentionally choose songs that have good teaching elements, as well as those that will allow a variety of skill levels and instruments a chance to participate and shine. We may do any variety of songs - ranging from The Beatles to Pink and from Journey to Adele! The songs we select may fall directly within a student's current musical interests, or they may open the student to an artist or genre that they otherwise wouldn't have sought out. We're always open to students' suggestions and requests as well!
Details
All students are welcome to prepare for and perform in these events.
Students prepare certain songs in advance and should be prepared to perform the songs that make up "the set."
We form a band for each student to be a part of, and the bands rotate during the evening. The amount of performance time each student receives is dependent on how many students are performing the same instrument that evening. We limit the number of students who may participate for each instrument, in order to ensure each student has the opportunity to perform as much as possible. Students who want to perform must register online (check our Perform Page for a list of upcoming events, with a link to register).
We email students their band and time assignments two days prior to the events.
There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee per student. This fee will be automatically charged to the same payment method that is on file for tuition - based on registration (even if the student ultimately cancels/withdraws from the performance).
Because of space and time constraints, and in order to provide the best experience for all involved, we limit the number of performers. Registration typically closes early for high-demand instruments. So if you would like to a part of this Jam Session, be sure to register early, in order to secure your place!
Parents, other family and friends are welcome to attend and to enjoy the performances.
Pizza and sodas are provided for students!
A Little More Info
Jam Sessions are also a great way to meet other students, and to build relationships with people who share many of the same interests and goals. It is a closed audience - as opposed to our live gigs, which may be held at an outdoor public venue or a coffee shop, for example. The Jam Session audience is composed of other students and family members – this makes for a really great, supportive environment for students. There is a sense of unity and community that is developed as students perform together in these events. In addition, when students prepare for performances like these, there is an extrinsic motivation that comes into play, and propels them to growth and excellence!
We typically schedule 3 to 4 Jam Sessions per year; this allows everyone who wants to participate the time to learn and prepare the specific song(s) that the bands will perform. We also try to consider the fact that many students will be preparing for our spring and fall Recital/Showcase, and things are typically busy for everyone around the end of the year - with the holidays.
For a list of all the performance opportunities that students of Matt Burk Music Studio receive, as well as for a schedule of all of our upcoming performances, check out our Perform Page!