Say hello (and goodbye) to our graduating seniors

[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

June is an exciting and yet bittersweet time at Rock to the Future. It is marked by celebrations of the many accomplishments of our students, and difficult partings as we say goodbye to our four graduating seniors: Destinee, Luna, Regina, and Rhiannon.  We have enjoyed watching them grow over the past few years, not only in their musical abilities but also in their academic performances. We wish them all the best of luck in their post-high school endeavors and look forward to what the future holds for these talented students!

Meet our Seniors!

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/2″]

Destinee…

has been playing piano and guitar at RTTF since our opening day 5 years ago. When asked what she will miss the most about the program, “I will miss everything the most.  I’ve been here for 5 years and it’s been nice to see the program grow… I’m going to miss coming home from class and going right to Rock to the Future everyday.”  Destinee plans to study psychology at Penn State York this fall.

Regina…

has been playing the guitar in RTTF’s after school program for the past 2 years.  She said that she is going to miss riding shot-gun in the band van on the way to concerts the most.  She loves live music and local pop-punk band The Wonder Years and Fall Out Boy.  Regina will be studying sound engineering and audio production at The Art Institute of Philadelphia this summer.

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

Rhiannon…

started playing bass with RTTF 4 years ago.  She aims to break the mold and prove that females should and can be accepted in the music industry, specifically in live sound and recording.  Rhiannon will be attending The University of the Arts after graduation for sound engineering.  She also recently started working as a sound engineer at New Leaf Club music venue in Bryn Mawr.

Luna…

started RTTF as a guitarist this past year after attending our Rock*A*Delphia summer camp.  This past year, she has written incredible songs about materialism and America’s obsession with pop culture.  She is planning to study business at The Community College of Philadelphia to help kick-start her fashion and music business.

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Rock to the Future Student Wins National Scholarship

[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/2″]

Rock to the Future’s own Lily McAndrew wins national scholarship from The D’Addario Foundation!

Sixteen-year-old Lily McAndrew has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by The D’Addario Foundation to attend the Crown of The Continent Guitar Workshop & Festival in Bigfork, Montana from August 30th – September 6th. Lily was selected from our MusiCore after school program over other students around in the nation because of her undeniable talent and passion to pursue music as a career.

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

Lily with her mom and best friend Holly.


[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

“I’m really excited about winning the scholarship and feel privileged to work with such experienced musicians. I hope to be a full-time musician one day, and I can’t wait to learn more skills to make that dream a reality,” says Lily.

Growing up, Lily has struggled with dyslexia and the many challenges that come from being in a single-parent household. Lily has grown into a confident young woman, and we couldn’t be more proud! In addition to be an amazing lead guitarist and songwriter, Lily gives back to her community and even volunteers at our summer camps helping young students learn to rock. Lily’s dream is to become a professional, world-renowned musician, and, with the help of Rock to the Future, Lily has been able to keep her life and aspirations on track.

“It was very important to us as an organization to choose a student that has really dedicated him or herself to music in spite of the fact that he/she may not have the means … We are hoping that an experience like this will really inspire her in her pursuit of music and beyond” said by Suzanne D’Addario, Executive Director of the D’Addario Foundation.

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop is an intense week long instructional guitar program and music festival. Last year 79 students were invited the attend the workshop and festival. This year’s festival will have appearances by Dweezil Zappa, Brett Dennen, and legendary jazz guitarist, Lee Ritenour.

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Summer Camps Almost Here!

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Give your child a once in a lifetime opportunity at a chance at music education!

 

For an entire week this summer, your children can learn an instrument, collaborate with peers, and write music. At the end of camp, campers will be in the spotlight performing live for family, friends, and peers!

The fee for a week of camp is only $250. No purchase of musical instruments is required. Rock to the Future provides all instruments. No experience is necessary to attend Rock to the Future camps.

In August, Rock to the Future is bringing back Rock*A*Delphia. Rock*A*Delphia is a week long summer camp offered to 13 to 17 year olds. During the week campers learn how to write songs, play music, and have the chance to collaborate with other musicians. Campers have a choice of learning between guitar, bass, keyboards, or drums.

Dates: August 17 – 21, 2015
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

GuitarStars Summer Camp gives the opportunity for children 7 to 12 to learn how to play electric and acoustic guitar or bass guitar. GuitarStar Summer Camp runs for four days in July. At GuitarStar the campers will learn basic cords, techniques, exercises, and basic music theory. Campers receive daily lessons, learn popular songs, and write original music.

Dates: July 20 – 24, 2015
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

 

RESERVE YOUR CHILD’S SPOT NOW!

PAY HERE FOR GUITARSTARS
PAY HERE FOR ROCK*A*DELPHIA

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Original Songs Released.

[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Over the past year students have been writing, composing, and collaborating to write original songs that define their band and themselves. Each song has a different meaning and message that the bands want their listeners to hear and understand.

“Children are dying, mothers are crying, instead lets talk about what Kim Kardashian is buying” is a power lyric written by the band, Viva La Pluto from Rock to the Future. Each song is unique and never heard before now.

Mad Dragon Records at Drexel University donated time in their recording studio to our seven bands. In addition to recording their original songs, Drexel students engineered their songs to perfection.

All seven songs will be executed at the Year End Showcase at World Café Live on May 30th. Each band that takes the stage will perform new covers of favorite songs throughout the years in addition.

 

LISTEN HERE

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

5th Annual Year End Showcase @ World Cafe Live!

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″]

End of Year Showcase is fast approaching and our rockers couldn’t be any more excited. At the end of month the MusiCore after school program from Rock to the Future will be performing live at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on May 30th. Starting at 12:30 p.m. seven bands from the MusiCore program performs live for three hours for your enjoyment.

The seven bands will perform all genres of music throughout the showcase. Original, amazing songs written by the students themselves will be performed in addition.

A ceremony will take place at the end of showcase to award and congratulate our students for their hard work over the past year in improving in school and in music.

At the end of this upcoming school year four of our students will be graduating, we are sad to see them go but we know they are off to bigger and brighter things.

The End of Year Showcase is a great way to see the progress of our students over a year’s span of hard work and dedication. The students at Rock to the Future have learned and dedicated their time to improve their lives and musical talents. Check it out for a great time and chance to rock out.

Rock to the Future is celebrating its fifth year anniversary making this year’s End of Year Showcase increasingly more magical.

Buy tickets now!!

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

October Musical Musings

[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Brandon W. on: Queen’s We are the Champions and Under Pressure

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″]

I will be speaking about the fantastic inspirational band: Queen.  Right off the bat, I would like to explain that Queen is one of my top five favorite bands in history.

First off, the song we listened to was We are the Champions.  I loved this song; I always have.  The song has a meaning, well you know, other than the music, instruments, vocals and the rest of the structure a normal song. We are the Champions has a very strong meaning. It’s pretty much saying he’s been through a lot of what usual people have to face, but he’s not going to give up. He’s a champion and is definitely making it known, no matter how much you push him down he is going to LEAP back up bigger and badder with more and more followers. Till eventually, he pushes you down and you lose. Freddie Mercury was a lot of things, but one thing he wasn’t was a quitter. And, he made it known through this song.

Back to the song structure: I love how it starts off dull and slow and picks up and BOOM, hits your ears like a majestic leprechaun riding a Pegasus, all the while singing We are the Champions. All and all, I love this song and it’s and amazing song from my perspective, it’s Queen’s most strong and powerful song!

The second song we are musing about is Under Pressure. Now, even though this song is slow, it still has a pick-up and it even made me cry a bit. Now, every song has a meaning and yet I kind of only caught half the meaning of it. Ether way, it was still a good song to me.

I loved the rhythm to this song, it just makes you want to hum it, which is exactly what you want in a song. The lyrics are alright, but you know, it’s queen what are going to do? I loved how it picked up during the chorus, it was excellent yet dangerous. This is because when bands usually have that slow of a song and try to speed up the time signature it sounds horrible. However, what Queen did in this son was musical genius, and had such a feel to it that you have to like it. In conclusion, I liked this song. Not everyone does but who cares? I like it and that’s all that matters!

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Sammy on: Nirvana and Kimmi Smiles

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″]

Nirvana:

The artist Kurt Cobain was someone who wasn’t afraid to be different, he is someone who did what he felt. As an inspiration to some younger generations, Cobain wasn’t afraid to write what he felt. In my opinion, Cobain is a man of vision, and a man who dared teens and others to be different – to be truly unique. This is why Cobain is an inspiration to young people. This is why he is an inspiration to me.

Kimmie Smiles:

When listening to Let it Go cover by Kimmie Smiles, I feel that she put a lot of emotion and energy into the song. When singing or even playing an instrument, you have to put energy into it. You want it to express yourself and let the music flow through you. It isn’t important if people are around you. What is important is you put your all into it, and Kimmie smiles accomplished this. So in the end just be you.

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Gerry “King of the Dinosaurs” on: Comparisions between Ahmir and Kimmi Smiles covers of Let it Go

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″]

The Ahmir version of Let it Go makes me get somewhat emotional due to its soft nature and blending harmonies. The Kimmi Smiles version, however, makes me feel energetic and want to get up and rock out! Also, I like the unique style of rock Kimmi does.

Honestly, I do not like how the Ahmir version uses so much auto-tune; The song just doesn’t sound right without 100 percent pure human voice. I also like how Kimmi Smiles  is very sped up. Even though the song was written to be sung slow, she did a very good job of transforming it.

Now to get to the lyrics of the song:  To me, Let it Go is about letting go of all your fears and just going for it! It’s a message that really says to forget about everything else and to be yourself, and to not care what anybody else thinks.  I like the rock version because it better suits the theme of the song. Rock and Roll is all about losing control and doing whatever sounds right to you without caring about what other people are playing or whether people will like it or not.

In conclusion, both versions are great incarnations of the song. However, I personally prefer the rock version because I feel it best captures the essence of the song.

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Featured in JUMP Philly Fall 2014

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL ARTICLE

Josh Tirado was older than the age limit at Rock To The Future, a free music workshop for city kids, when he started picking up his little sister, Samira Long, there four years ago. While he was waiting for her to finish band practice, the 14-year-old, 5’9”, 230-pound high school football player would sit down with other students and assist them with their math homework.

One day, RTTF program director Josh Craft approached Tirado.

“He said if I keep helping kids with their math homework, he’ll teach me how to play guitar,” remembers Tirado.

Tirado quit football and visited the Kensington-based workshop after school nearly every day and most Saturdays for the next four years. While other kids in his Fishtown neighborhood were stealing bicycles, joining gangs, getting into fights and worse, Tirado learned how to play guitar, bass, piano and drums.

“Thank god I didn’t hang out with those kids,” Tirado says. “I’m not trying to mess up my future or anyone else’s.”

He had been bullied when he was younger but the music lessons gave him the social skills to deal with people. He quit fighting with his sister. Tirado became more disciplined and his grades improved – he was an honors student his last two years at Franklin Learning Center. In June, he became RTTF’s first high school graduate.

“He’s doing things on his own now,” says Tirado’s mother, Catherine Long. “He didn’t have the confidence to think he could do stuff before.”

In August, Tirado ended his RTTF house band career, performing the intricate guitar solo in Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” before a small crowd at a fundraiser for the organization. He started classes at the Community College of Philadelphia this semester. He plans to become an X-ray technician.

RockToTheFuture02a

From student to instructor

Over the summer, I volunteered for the Rock to the Future summer camp. This involved teaching children how to play, read and perform music within only a week. Generally, it seems to be a living nightmare to teach young kids how to play instruments under the pressure of a deadline that lands on the end of the week. I admit that I was nervous upon entering the building; however, it proved to be the highlight of my entire summer.

While I watched the students learn and grow (both socially and musically), I discovered the delight of teaching somebody a skill and watching them–gradually but surely–understand and try. You connect with the students, and they respect you. They begin to ask you to help them, to teach them more than what is expected. That, in itself, is the most refreshing experience that I received over that week.

My students picked up their instruments for the first time on Monday, but Friday was not the last time. After the final showcase that Friday evening, I received a series of long hugs and goodbyes, but also promises – that they will continue to practice their instruments and perhaps participate in the following year’s summer camp.

Although I was not a student in this situation, I still found myself learning, side-by-side with my students. I discovered the different styles of teaching, the different personalities of individuals, different tactics to use when coaching, and, most of all, I discovered myself. – Cheyenne, 15 year old guitarist in MusiCore after school program and volunteer guitar instructor at Rock*A*Delphia and GuitarStars summer camp

 

Why it pays to be a RTTF Backstage Pass holder:

As a young organization, Rock to the Future relies on the amazing support of people like you to keep our music education programming completely free for low-income Philadelphia youth. So let me start by saying THANKS! As you know, in 2013 Rock to the Future rolled out our new membership program – the Rock to the Future Backstage Pass – to provide VIP access and exclusive events to our most dedicated donors and supporters. To cut down on printing and administrative costs, Rock to the Future will be discontinuing the annual Backstage Pass as of August 15, 2014 and is now only offering the Rock to the Future Lifetime Backstage Pass, (available for a donation of $350 to Rock to the Future.) As our way of saying THANKS for supporting this new idea in its inaugural year, anyone who donated last year to receive their 2013-14 Backstage Pass  will be automatically upgraded to receive a RTTF LIFETIME BACKSTAGE PASS! The new Rock to the Future Lifetime Backstage Pass is good for free entry to the annual Holiday Showcase as well as VIP treatment at Rally for Rock and discounted tickets to our annual gala – the Music For All Ball – FOR LIFE! Also, all Lifetime Backstage Pass holders receive a free RTTF tee or tank and get to bring their +1s and friends to exclusive supporter-only events like our annual Donor Appreciation Party and a special 5th Birthday Party (which we’ll be announcing later this year!)For those of you who were already RTTF Lifetime Backstage Pass holders – YOU ROCK! We couldn’t do it without your AMAZING support! Want to join this exclusive rockstar club? Donate $350 or more to RTTF today to score your LIFETIME Backstage Pass!

Thanks again, RTTF Backstage Pass holders – YOU ROCK!LIFETIMEBackstagePassFrontREVISED
p.s. – We have some surprise perks TBA for our Backstage Pass holders at the 2nd Annual Rally for Rock on September 13thRSVP to the event as a free attendee and wear your backstage pass to the event to receive a special gift – available at the RTTF table!

Rally for Rock 2014

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″]

Rock to the Future Presents:
The 2nd Annual Rally for Rock

at Franklin Square
6th & Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 2pm – 6pm

Philadelphia, PA – August 18, 2014 – Rock to the Future’s Rally for Rock is back!Taking place on Sat., September 13, 2014 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at historic Franklin Square, the 2nd Annual Rally for Rock is a FREE outdoor concert featuring music from KUF KNOTZHEZEKIAH JONESJOEY SWEENEY & THE LONG HAIR ARKESTRA, and the ROCK TO THE FUTURE STUDENT HOUSE BAND . This year’s event features family-friendly live music, an interactive kids’ area, beer garden from Yards Brewing Company, craft and business vendors and more! In addition, Councilman Squilla – a known supporter for the arts in Philadelphia – will be speaking on the importance of supporting music education. Proceeds from the event will benefit Rock to the Future and their mission of providing music education for Philadelphia youth.

Rock to the Future is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides music education to Philadelphia’s underserved youth at no cost to them or their families. Using contemporary music instruction, their programs ignite passion and creativity, support academic achievement, and improve self-esteem.

“Rally for Rock is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about the need for music education, the great work Rock to the Future is doing in Philadelphia, and have a blast listening to incredible local music,” says Executive Director Jessica Craft. “Plus, it’s free and family friendly!”

The Rally for Rock is free, but attendees may pre-register online for a special Rock to the Future gift.

***SPONSORED BY THE SOMERS TEAM, GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY and YARDS BREWING COMPANY***

Register to Vend or Sponsor
Want to volunteer? Sign up here
Facebook Event Page 
Visit Franklin Square on the web

[/vc_column][/vc_row]