Battle of the Bands Junior Division Finalists

10 Youth bands will be performing at SBYMA’s first annual Youth Battle of the Bands FINAL EVENT this Sunday, October 24th at the Marjorie Luke Theater at 6 PM.  The following five bands are the five junior division bands that will be showcased at the event…

• All Dudes and One Chick

All Dudes and One Chick is a Santa Barbara band that was formed in 2009 as a result of Peabody Charter School’s after school enrichment program. Band members include: Sophia Hurtado, 11, Colin Hurtado, 9, David McInnes, 9, and Max Gould, 10. This is a hard rock band influenced by legendary musicians like ACDC.

• High Frequency

High Frequency is a Santa Barbara band that was formed in 2009.  Band members are Matt Turk, 13 (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals), Reed Donaldson, 11 (Lead Guitar), Josh Dillon, 14 yrs, (Keyboards), Nick Van Hecke, 15 yrs (Drums), and Reese (Bass). They joined this band through SBYMA simply because they enjoy being in a band. Their goal is to have consistent gigs at Live Culture. You can find them on Facebook.

• Inner Fears

Inner Fears is a Santa Barbara band that was formed in 2009.  Band members include JT Tomlinson, 12 (lead guitar/lead vocals), Dakota Middleton, 15 ( bass/backup vocals), Tor Weiland, 11 (drums). The student in this band are a part of SBYMA.

• Technical Difficulties

Technical Difficulties is a Santa Barbara band that was formed in 2007. Band Members include:  Kyler Tanowitz, 13 (vocals & guitar), Dolan Ingraham, 14 ( guitar & vocals), Nik Harger, 12 (keyboards), Jack Haley, 14 (bass & vocals), and Stone Roshell, 11 (drums).

“In 2007, Stone and Kyler were playing a concert in Stone’s garage for a pretend audience. The “band” was called Voltage Rhino. Then the microphone broke down, and Kyler said, “We are experiencing technical difficulties” and the band began. Stone and Kyler then gathered more people until they had a Fantastic Fivesome and the band has been the same ever since.

“We do not have many gigs upcoming because we are going to start focusing on writing originals, learning more covers, and working on our performing skills, so we can be better linked to the audience on stage, and a whole lot more.

“Everyone in the band is very passionate about there instrument, and what they play on it. Everyone in the band absolutely loves all kinds of rock, so naturally that’s what we play. We look up to bands like Nirvana, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a few classic rock bands like Deep Purple and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“We have many different sounds, all in the key of rock. We play heavy rock, soft rock, and a lot more. We like electric guitar, with clear vocals and steady drums, with a pulsing, rythmic, distinct bass line in the backround, with some keyboards to add to the sound.”

You can read more about the band on their website and listen to their music on Youtube.

• The Catastrophes

The Catasrophes is a band that was formed a few weeks ago when the band members met at summer camp. Band members include: JT Tomlinson,  12, Maxton Schulte,  12, andMatt Freegard, 14. The Catastrophes have a “crowd pleasing” sound and are influences by 70’s Rock, The Who, Stones and Southern Rock. They are also involved with Fiesta’s Rock Shop Academy.

 

These bands will compete in front of a panel of judges made up of local community members from the entertainment industry including JR Richards, front man and singer/songwriter for Dishwalla, Nick Gunn, multi-platinum recording artist, Alan Bailey, former Treasurer of Paramount Pictures and Darin Fiechter, owner of Live Culture Records.

The final competition will award the top 3 bands from each division a series of cash prizes as well as  the exclusive opportunity for their band members to be mentored by a professional stage manager. Winning bands will also receive local media recognition for their bands, among many other prizes.

 

To All Battle of the Bands Artists and Families

Congratulations.  What happens on Saturday, October 2^nd will be the first stage of a culmination of effort by a great many people that desire to promote and support music for youth in our community.  Although SBYMA is well represented by the bands we have participating, there will be many more unaffiliated youth bands that will compete that have nothing to do with our organization.   This is truly a community event.

Here is the parent and artist planning detail for the Battle of the Bands Preliminaries this week:

1. On Thursday evening, Sep 30, 5:30, at Live Culture, time slots for auditions will be drawn out of a hat by each band’s representative.  If a band representative is not on hand for a particular band, the draw will be made on the band’s behalf.  If a band wants to swap a time slot with another band, this is allowed and Thursday evening is the only time provided to do it.  Friday morning, the schedule must be locked in granite for the event media and public relations.  The Senior Division will generally be judged in the morning and the Junior Division generally judged in the afternoon.  However, if, for example, a mid-morning Senior Division team swaps with a late afternoon Junior Division team, this is allowable.

2.        Please note that, before today, the Junior Division was to audition in the morning, and the Senior Division was to perform in the afternoon.   The late notice change is regrettable but necessary for scheduling reasons.

1. The Senior Division bands will be expected to show up at the Marjorie Luke at 8:00 A.M. Saturday morning for a review of the rules and a briefing of how the day will progress.  The bands can disperse if they like until ½ hour before they play, when they are expected to be backstage and getting tuned up and ready to go on.  Any band member can be backstage at any time during the day, but no teachers, mentors or family members are allowed backstage AT ALL.  If a band member needs help, there will be adult professional assistance available from 7:30 a.m. until the end of the day.

1. The Junior Division bands will be expected to show up at the Marjorie Luke at 12:00 noon for a review of the rules and briefing.  If a band slated for the afternoon chooses to show up at the morning review, this is allowed.  See item 3.
2. Family and fans are welcome in the audience for the whole day; there is no admission, so as soon  as you know when your band is playing, let all family and friends know so they can be there to support the kids with a live, active audience.  THIS IS IMPORTANT!  Some of the bands will not make it to the finals; this is the time to show them how much they are appreciated.
3. At least one band representative, and preferably the whole band, is expected to be back at the Marjorie Luke at 4:30 P.M. Saturday afternoon for the judge’s announcement of finalists.

Two final notes:
This is a competition that will happen only once a year.  This is the first year.  There may be conflicts with soccer or volleyball or some other such thing.  Send your regrets to the other such thing.  There are many soccer and volleyball games in a season, but only one Battle of the Bands that will showcase your kids in front of local Santa Barbara media and industry professionals.  Not that I expect any of our musicians to be the next JR Richards… but you never know.

And finally, some of the younger, newer bands will simply not be as good as the older bands that have been together longer.  It is our belief that the less polished and less experienced musicians will see the better bands and understand that something better is within their own reach, and they will be motivated to work harder to get to the next level.  Any band that doesn’t make it to the finals this year will know what it takes to get to the finals next year.   This is a great experience for the kids, please help us to make it as good as it can be.

Time to Rock the Luke,

Ed Seaman

Chairman of the Board

Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy

805.845.4949

805.858.0329

Judge Spotlight of the Week

This week we are featuring Nick Gunn, who, in addition to being on our judge panel for Battle of the Bands, is on SBYMA’s Board of Directors .

“Classically trained, and with a reputation as one of the world’s best selling flutists, Nicholas Gunn is in the upper echelon of contemporary instrumentalists. Having sold over two million albums, making him a double platinum artist, he is also the owner and CEO of Gemini Sun Records, based in Malibu, CA.” Here is what he has to say to the youth of Santa Barbara:

SBYMA: What motivated you to pursue a career in the music industry?

NG: I was fortunate to be able to have studied at the Royal School of Music at a very young age. This, of course, provided me with a firm base in music and it seemed natural as I got older that the only thing I was interested in pursuing was music. I began experimenting in writing and recording my own music in the late 80’s, early 90’s, and it was clear more then ever that this was my chosen path.

SBYMA:  Who were your favorite musicians when you were a teenager?

NG: Despite my classical background, my musical favorites are rooted firmly in rock legends such as Queen, ELO, Supertramp, Rush, and Journey to name a few. However, at the same time I was also extremely interested in experimental music, listening to such prolific artists as Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre. These artists gave me a broad understanding of all music types.

3. How has your taste of music evolved during your life?

It’s obvious to say my own personal music has evolved through my experiences. However, what remains consistent is that the bands and artists I was listening to in the beginning are as equally interesting to me today. Such modern bands as Muse and Keane, reminiscent of bands like Queen, are today some of my favorites.

SBYMA: If you were on a deserted island and you could only choose one album to keep you company, what would it be?

NG: Vangelis Themes.

SBYMA: If you could give an inspiring musician a few words of wisdom, what would they be?

NG: Nobody can make you a success other than yourself. Delve deeply into your music. Buy your own gear. Record and write your own music. Become your own producer. This way, it becomes uniquely yours and therefore impossible to be taken away.

SBYMA supporting Old Spanish Days

A couple of SBYMA’s main goals are to get involved with the Santa Barbara community and to inspire young people to pursue their dreams through music. What better way is there to do just those things than to showcase some of SBYMA’s youth bands at Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta?

Old Spanish Days, which took place this year August 4-8, has been a Santa Barbara tradition for 86 years. This event was created “to celebrate Santa Barbara’s unique spirit, history, cultures and traditions“.

Here is a video of The Way performing at Fiesta. Listen to their awesome cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day”!

Did you watch any SBYMA bands perform at Fiesta? Send us your videos and pictures!

New Calendar!

Click Here to view the SBYMA calendar. This calendar will provide you with all the important dates, performances, auditions, and more for the Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy!

People at SBYMA

A few announcements:

1. We added a new tab, titled “People”. Check it out to discover the masterminds behind SBYMA!

2. FIESTA is tomorrow! Come support SBYMA band, “The Way” perform!

3. Early registration ends August 15th! Go to our website to register NOW!

4. The time has come to register for SBYMA classes. Class starts August 31st. Check out our website to find out more!

We are proud to present…

And you thought I was only going to tell you about the judges!

The Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy is proud to present our first annual

Youth Battle of the Bands!

(click flyer to enlarge)

Our website, sbyma.org is currently under construction, but you can still register for Battle of the Bands HERE. You ready for some competition??!

American Idols?

As you may know, SBYMA has been planning a HUGE event for Santa Barbara County – a youth battle of the bands. We are thrilled to showcase the musical talents of young people in the county and to give these young people the opportunity to perform for a large audience! There are many people hard at work–plotting and planning and pining–to ensure that this event will be as successful as we imagine it to be. While it may be too early to release all of the details, I am way too excited about it to keep my mouth entirely shut.

Therefore, by the power vested in me, I will be releasing some information about the

PRIZES!!!!!!!

Yeah, now you’re listening! One of the (many!) exciting prizes that we are going to offer the first place bands is a Q&A Session with our celebrity judge panel!

Alright, alright–Randy, Paula, and Simon won’t be judging… They offered but we just didn’t think we could subject your children to the wrath of Simon. But the SBYMA Battle of the Bands Final Round will have five judges, each one a successful, recognizable representative of their respective industries.  The winners will have the opportunity to get to know each of the judges, learn about their experiences and struggles, and obtain invaluable advice as they pursue their dreams in the music industry.

Want to know who the judges are? You’re just going to have to come back soon and find out!

A New Frontier

Welcome to the Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy blog!

As a nonprofit organization designed to promote culture, the arts, and opportunities for the youth in Santa Barbara, we are incredibly excited  to use this blog as a new way to interact and connect with the community.  This is an exciting time for the Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy! Our organization is expanding rapidly each and every day and we would love for you to accompany us on this exciting new journey. We have many projects coming your way, including a youth Battle of the Bands this October, and we do not want you to miss out on the action.

This blog will be updated regularly with new information, pictures, videos, and anything else you might be interested in. If you see something you like or if there is something you would like to see more of, please feel free to drop us a comment in the comment form below, and we will be sure to address your requests. After all, the goal of our organization is to contribute to the well-being of this beautiful community that we live in — Santa Barbara — and that starts with YOU.

Thanks for stopping by!