FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I sign up with a friend to be in the same band?

Yes. We encourage musicians to register with one or more of their friends. Be sure to indicate on the registration form all the names of the people you want to be in your band. Also be sure to check with them about scheduling to make sure you are available on the same days and times to rehearse.

Can my whole band sign up?

Yes! Over the years, we’ve had a number of groups sign up who were already playing as bands outside of BandWorks. For bands playing original music, we offer coaching on their material. Some bands like to do a combination of original tunes and covers. We do have a minimum of 5 musicians per group, so if your band has fewer than 5 players, we may ask to add one more musician to the band, or you can split the cost of a 5th registration.

I completed my registration form well before the deadline. How come I didn’t get into a band?

Our mission at BandWorks is to make our program available to as many musicians as possible. In our effort to offer a very high quality experience, we need to balance many different factors in placing students in bands. We consider a variety of factors, including schedule availability, signups and class offerings, musical experience, band instrumentation, age, stylistic preferences and other factors. Occasionally we will not have an appropriate fit for a musician, even if he or she registered early. The more days and times you list on your registration form as available, the more likely we will be able to find the right band for you. If we are unable to place you in a band, we will refund your entire registration fee, or put it toward registration for the next session, at your discretion

Do you offer scholarships or financial aid? 

Yes. We have scholarships available for those in demonstrable financial need. You can obtain a scholarship application by contacting us at info@bandworks.com.

Can I play my original songs in BandWorks?

Yes. If you’ve written a song and are interested in playing it in BandWorks, be sure to contact us when you register and let us know. We encourage musicians to bring in their own songs, and we’ve found that other band members are almost always eager to play original music written by one of their band mates. We’ll talk with you about putting together a chart for the band, and possibly making a recording for reference.

How old do I have to be to play in BandWorks?

We have classes for students as young as 8 years old. We place kids and teens in bands with other kids who are typically within 2 years of age of one another. For adult bands there are no age restrictions.

What if I have no musical experience?

In addition to our classes for experienced musicians, BandWorks occasionally offers groups for people with no previous musical experience. Beginning classes rehearse and perform fewer songs in a session but offer more individual attention and help learning basic parts on the instruments. BandWorks is not a substitute for private instrument lessons, and we encourage students to pursue additional instruction in conjunction with the songs they are learning.

What if I’m a beginner? 

Many beginners with limited experience take BandWorks. They join bands with other beginners, and learn songs chosen to match the ability of the band.

I’m a teenager. Can I play in an adult band?

Yes, if everyone is ok with it, and provided we can place you in a band with musicians at a similar experience level.

How do you place me in an appropriate band without an audition?

We gauge each musician’s experience level by information given on the registration form, and sometimes by phone interview or teacher referral. After 30 years of doing it this way, we have gotten pretty good at determining the appropriate band for every musician.

What if I don’t read music?

No problem. You don’t need to be able to read music to participate in BandWorks. Many players pick songs up by ear, and with a little help from our instructors, you will be able to learn the basics of following chord charts without having to learn music notation. Of course, reading music helps, and we encourage everyone to learn if possible.

If I signed up to play an instrument, can I sing too?

Absolutely! If there is no one signed up as a dedicated singer, we encourage anyone who is interested to sing the lead vocal part. If there is a dedicated singer, or if more than one person wants to sing, you will at least have an opportunity to sing backup.

What if I play a different instrument like flute or violin?

We welcome all instruments in BandWorks, and enjoy coming up with creative parts to suit instruments not typically found in a rock band.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You should bring your guitar, bass, horn or drumsticks. Also be sure to bring extra strings and cables. We have drums, a bass amp, keyboards, music stands, microphones, and a couple of guitar amps at our studios. You can bring your own amp if you prefer.

What is the refund policy?

There is a $150 non-refundable deposit. There are no refunds after the second class meeting. There are no refunds for missed classes. In the event that we are unable to place you in a band, you will receive a full refund of your registration fees.

Do I get the recording of the concert?

We stream the concerts “LIVE” on YouTube and those recordings are archived on our page there. They can be downloaded and viewed as your will.

Can I carpool with other band members?

Many parents have asked us about carpooling with other kids. Before the first class, we email out a contact list with the info for each musician enrolled in the current BandWorks session, including their phone numbers and emails. You are encouraged to contact members of your band to see about sharing a ride if you need to.

How are the summer camps different from the 8 Week Workshop sessions?

Our series of one-week summer camps are currently for kids and teens only. Summer camp programs meet for three hours each day – in morning or afternoon sessions – for five consecutive days, culminating in an in-studio concert on the final day. The 8-Week Workshop sessions are available to kids, teens and adults. Our Workshop sessions meet weekly for two-hour rehearsals for eight consecutive weeks.