The Band Lab (8/11- 8/15)

Form a band and perform live on stage with the Band Lab! A week-long, workshop-style summer camp, the Band Lab gives you a chance to form a band with other young musicians.

Each Band Lab session accepts up to 12 members, and runs one week, Monday through Friday, from 12:30 - 4 PM. The Band Lab runs one week long, Monday to Friday, from 12:30 - 4 PM. It takes place at Glow Hall, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007.

$250/camper, sliding scale available. We don’t turn anyone away based on financial need. Contact us at [email protected] for sliding scale payments.

We'll learn how to set up instruments, arrange and rearrange songs, and record tracks. At the end of the week, the band performs their first show on the stage at Glow Hall.

The Band Lab isn't an introductory music program, it's a place for young musicians to connect, collaborate, and jam together. We play lots of genres, from rock to hip hop, based on the band members' interests. Participants can have any level of expertise, but should have basic familiarity with at least one instrument.

In general, participants in the Band Lab are entering grades 4-12, but we are thrilled to have younger participants who are up to the challenge! We make age exceptions on a case-by-case basis, so please get in touch if you think it's right for your child.

The Band Lab is is supervised by Christopher, our LARA- and CPR-certified counselor-in-charge. Each day, we'll warm up, learn songs, and play together as a band. We'll learn how to set up instruments, arrange and rearrange songs, do sound checks, make recordings, and prepare for a performance. On Friday, families and friends can attend the band's first show.

Band Lab participants should have basic familiarity with at least one musical instrument, but "basic" is really all you need. We operate with a punk ethos where perfection takes a backseat to vibes. Jamming on one note the whole time is totally fine (and sometimes the key to a great song)!

The School of Sound & Vision has a variety of instruments participants can use, including guitars, bass guitars, drum sets, keyboards, a piano, and a variety of percussion instruments. Participants are also invited and encouraged to bring their own instruments, be they flutes, cellos, or harpsichords. Singers, rappers, and beatboxers are welcome. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about our instruments or programming.

Campers should bring a water bottle. A snack will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Lunch is not provided.

We understand that summer plans can shift, and we aim to be as flexible as possible while still supporting our small, independent program. Please review the following refund policy for all summer session enrollments:

Cancellations & Refunds:

14+ Days Before Session Start: Full refund available minus a $25 processing fee per session.

7–13 Days Before Session Start: 50% refund.

Less Than 7 Days Before Session Start: No refund, except in cases of documented emergency.

No-Shows or Early Departures: No refund.

Host or Publisher Glow Hall