Form a band, write songs, perform in one week: Girls Rock! hits Burgh kids this summer

“I don’t think young girls are encouraged to form a rock band as boys are,” says Angela Stich. “Even when I wanted to play an instrument, my mom bought me a flute!”

Thanks to Stich, local girls starting this summer will have Girls Rock! Pittsburgh, a weeklong day camp to help them form bands, write songs and learn to play an instrument — maybe even in that order.

Stich is co-directing the effort with Hannah Shaw, who has run a rock and roll camp for girls in North Carolina for the past several years that attracted more than 200 participants and now includes a school-year program. The first Pittsburgh camp for girls ages 8-16 will take place Aug. 5-9 at Shadyside’s The Ellis School, with a performance showcase Aug. 9 at The Roboto Project in Friendship.

“I’m eager to see what kind of material 8-year-old girls will come up with,” Stich says of the music-writing efforts, which will be one of the camp’s main emphases. “I’m pretty excited about that. Some of them might not have the inhibitions others have to write whatever they want.”

As for learning to play an instrument in one week: “It’s something some of the parents have trouble grasping,” she admits. “Some [girls] might just learn a few chords and write music that way.” Others may learn to play a single song confidently after their camp experience. For those who already play a rock-band-worthy instrument, the week may offer them new licks and riffs. “We’re trying to get away from an emphasis on expertise, or having to have formal, conservatory-type lessons. Maybe they’ll leave camp wanting to learn that way, but that’s not what our emphasis is on.”

Girls Rock! is partnering with the youth staff of the Andy Warhol Museum on some art projects — perhaps band t-shirt and button designs, Stich says. The week also includes workshops on zine making, deejaying and self-defense. The camp is seeking local volunteer musicians, artists, activists and mentors to participate.

The idea is apparently popular; the original group of 20 campers is already expanding to 30, due to demand, Stich reports.

Seeing girls in a band, “can be a very empowering experience for girls in the audience alone,” not to mention the campers, she concludes. The girls in their new bands stand to gain self-confidence, and learn how to work on a team. Increasing the visibility of girls in the arts is another goal, she says, along with “creating an increased community for girls in music. There’s always room for making those spaces safe for girls.”

 

Writer: Marty Levine

Source: Angela Stich, Girls Rock! Pittsburgh