[Update: Further to our Media Release of 20th January 2009 please note that the deadline for auditions for "Rock Camp Rodney" has been extended until 27th February 2009. ]

Media Release

Tuesday 20 January 2009

Recruits Wanted to Rock Rodney

Talented young musicians from across Rodney are being given the opportunity to audition for an exciting training camp which will develop their skills.

'Rock Camp Rodney' is an innovative five day musical training programme which will offer places to between 50 and 80 young people living in Rodney. The programme is open to participants between 8 and 18 years old and applicants have until the 13 February to audition for the camp.

The Camp will be run by Nick Roberts and Mike Trent of Helensville based REAL MUSIC, who have successfully run other training projects such as "Groove Factory" (for 5 - 13 year olds) and "Band Factory" (for 11-16 year olds) for the previous 2 years. Mike and Nick also ran the very successful "Rodney Live '08."

"Rodney Live demonstrated that there is a huge depth of young talent here in Rodney, and this has been confirmed by the fact that a number of the performers from Rodney Live have gone on to be part of Christmas in the Park," says Mike Trent.

"Through Rock Camp Rodney we want to tap into that local talent and offer participants a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop their skills by working with top professionals in the New Zealand music industry."

The camp will offer musicians the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills, such as presentation skills and how to analyse performances. Training will be carried out by tutors at the MAINZ studios (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) and the participants will be placed in bands with other students at the camp, as well as meet New Zealand music legends.

The camp will culminate with the musicians demonstrating their skills through a series of live shows at various locations throughout Rodney on the 24th and 25th April 2009.

The project is being supported by Rodney District Council and funded through the Auckland Regional Services fund. The funding has been held in trust by Rodney District Council since the Auckland Regional Services Trust was disbanded in 1998. Under the Local Government Act the fund can only to be used for significant art or cultural projects in Rodney.

"Rodney District Council is pleased to be able to support Rock Camp Rodney as it will provide a fantastic opportunity for our young people to develop their musical skills and help them in achieving their potential," says Paul Green, Council's Community Development Manager.

"We are particularly pleased that the project can be supported without affecting rates as it is funded from the Auckland Regional Services fund," he adds.

Rock Camp Rodney is also supported by Times FM with regular air time being given, and opportunities for Rodney's young musicians to feature on-air.

Auditions should be submitted in the form of a video tape or DVD to: Rock Camp Rodney, PO Box 119 Helensville by 13th February. The submitters name, address and age should be clearly identified.

ENDS

© Scoop Media