Take 70 kids, many of them rank beginners, add 30 staff, most of whom are skilled musicians, mix in a full weekend with lots of amplifiers, guitars, drums, keyboards, add a dash of voice coaching and song writing instruction and
Take 70 kids, many of them rank beginners, add 30 staff, most of whom are skilled musicians, mix in a full weekend with lots of amplifiers, guitars, drums, keyboards, add a dash of voice coaching and song writing instruction and what you get is a fantastic burst of young talent.
Welcome to Rock U – a music event recently held at Kauai Christian Fellowship with noted local musician Jeremy Hartshorn at the helm.
“We had eight full venues set up for the kids to play in, each complete with drums, bass, guitars, keyboards and microphones. Every corner of the church was packed with kids learning to play together. It was amazing,” said Hartshorn.
Small clusters of kids gathered with musical mentors all over the church campus, some working on basic skills, others learning how to play together as a band and some working on new, original material.
“The sound when you walk on to the campus during Rock U is that of amplified madness,” laughed Rick Bundschuh, one of the pastors at the church. “But we love to see the God-given creativity erupting all around us.”
The event is aimed at teens and “tweeners” who have an interest or aptitude in music and in particular rock-tinged music.
Hartshorn, who also runs the Bandwagon Mobile Music vans that crisscross the island offering music lessons in the same vein, drafted talent from all over the island and the Mainland to help give lessons.
“This was truly a team effort. Local music instructors, music shops, and churches brought talent, gear and a huge heart for our island youth,” Hartshorn said. “I was so grateful for the huge outpouring of support we had from all over the island. Not only that, but were able to provide scholarships for every kid that needed one thanks to nearly $2,500 worth of donations from the generous souls in our church family.”
