South Shore Conservatory Invites Teens to Explore Their Inner Rock Star

The invites all middle school students from Hingham and the South Shore to kick off the new school year by rocking out with their friends.

Students from grades 6-8 are invited to take part in the SSC's "Middle School Monster Jam," which will be held Friday, August 26 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham. 

"The conservatory is reaching out to middle school kids, by giving them popular music to play," Anne Smith, the SSC Duxbury Campus Manager and an event coordinator of Monster Jam, said.

Last year at the Duxbury campus, students at "Middle School Monster Jam," performed Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." This year in Hingham, students will master the rhythm and riffs of the popular rock tune, "Hey Soul Sister."

"Kids who play classical instruments, don't often think of themselves as being able to play popular music," Smith said. "We'll give them a fun song to play and arrange it for every part."

Smith said the event will be loaded with performance tips and microphone techniques and all musicians - horns, winds, strings, rhythm and voice - will also experience break-out coaching sessions with South Shore Conservatory instructors.

Maria D’Ambrosio, age 13, of Plymouth, who has been taking French Horn lessons at the Conservatory since she was 10-years-old said she enjoyed playing in the Monster Jam concert last year in Duxbury.

"This event is unique because you have violin and flute players in the same ensemble as electric guitars, saxophones, and singers," she said in a statement submitted by the SSC. "It’s really diverse. I played piano at both Jams last year. My friends sang and played guitar.  We made music together and had an awesome time."

Performers like D’Ambrosio are recommened to bring their own instruments to the event. Drum kits and sound system will be provided. Middle Schoolers can also bring a friend and be entered to win a cool door prize.  

Smith said this night is a good chance for students who haven't practiced all summer, to pick up their instrument once again.

"This is one night, 'learn it,play it, perform it,' kind of event," Smith said.

Registration for this event is recommended, and admission is $5 per performer, parents are admitted free for the night-ending performance.

To register, or for more information, visit www.sscmusic.org, or call Anne Smith at (781) 934-2731 x11 or email a.smith@sscmusic.org.

The South Shore Conservatory is the largest not-for-profit community school for the arts in Massachusetts, South Shore Conservatory (SSC) was founded in 1970. Over the last 40 years the Conservatory has remained true to its original mission to provide access to quality education in the arts, and now serves more than 2,500 students ages 9 months to 90, at all skill levels, participating in over 50 programs on site and in outreach programs in partnership with schools and social service agencies throughout the South Shore. SSC’s campuses are located at One Conservatory Drive in Hingham (781-749-7565) and at the Ellison Center for the Arts, 64 St. George Street in Duxbury (781-934-2731). For more information, please visit www.sscmusic.org.