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Teen musicians to rock Tomball venue
Performers are from Spring-based academy
By FLORI MEEKS
Chronicle Correspondent

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The bands lined up to take the stage at Main Street Crossing on Friday have been preparing for this gig for months, and in some cases, a year.

The teen musicians are students at the Spring-based Houston Rock Academy, a program offered by Callahan School of Music, 5258 Louetta Road.

"It's loosely based on the School of Rock movie," director Alex Hemphill said. "We're giving kids an outlet to get together to perform as an ensemble."

Hemphill and school owner Brian Callahan established the Houston Rock Academy in January 2007.

The program targets middle- and high school students who are learning to play instruments traditionally associated with rock, including guitar, bass and drums.

Unlike their counterparts in school bands and orchestras, most of these kids practice and perform on their own, Hemphill said.

The academy is intended to give these youths a chance to improve their skills, learn about rock and perform as part of a group.

"There are so many kids out there who love music and want to play," Hemphill said.

Students meet weekly for 1 1/2 hours. Class time is divided between lessons on the history of rock 'n roll and rehearsals.

"I think it's a great idea," said Klein-area parent Laura Davis. Her son Austin, a Strack Middle School eighth-grader, plays bass and electronic guitar with the academy's Rare Faction Band. "They're there to learn what it takes to be in a band together."

The school also hosts Friday Night Jams, said Hemphill, a Greenspoint-area resident who has been teaching music since 1986. "It's just like a jam session," he said. "Students can play with other people, learn to play music on the fly and learn strumming techniques."

Students who want to earn an academy certificate must attend four 15-week semesters. Each semester includes some kind of live performance. Until now, those shows have taken place at the school.

This semester, the students will experience a live, community venue.

"I wanted to give them a feel of what it's actually like to play a gig," Hemphill said.

Their show will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, at Main Street Crossing, 111 W. Main St. in downtown Tomball. Admission will be free.

For more information, call Callahan School of Music at 281-320-2570.

director of the Spring-based Houston Rock Academy