ROCK U. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Q. What is ROCK U?

 A. ROCK U is the name of TMC's rock band program. We offer Performing bands (ages 12 to adult) and Non-Performing bands (ages 10 to adult). ROCK U operates from September to March. 

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Q. What kind of music do the bands play?

A. Most bands fall into the ROCK/POP category but offshoot into Country, Punk, Funk and more. If there is enough interest in Hard Rock/Heavy Metal we can offer that as well. Band members vote on the songs they want to perform.

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Q. When is ROCK U offered?

A. For the upcoming 2025-2026 season, ROCK U is offered on Mondays (4pm-9pm), Wednesdays (8pm-9pm) and Thursdays (4pm-9pm). Bands rehearse in Studio 2 at TMC.

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Q. Are there teachers/coaches in the room?

A. Yes. Each ROCK U band works with at least one ROCK U coach but usually there are 2 and sometimes 3 coaches in the room with the students. 

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Q. What's the general vibe?

A. While ROCK U can be intensive, our coaches are friendly, professional, knowledgeable and come from performing backgrounds with years of experience. We want our private students and band members to have positive experiences!

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Q. How many people are in each band?

A. Our bands follow the make up of standard sized bands but can differ in size from a power trio to a larger ensemble. 

• 1-2 Guitarists

• 1 Bass Player

• 1-2 Vocalists

• 1-2 Keyboards (if genre calls for it)

• 1-2 Drummers (drummers will share duties and pay a reduced monthly or annual fee)

Our bands usually operate with approximately 4-7 band members. 

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Q. I've checked into other band programs and had trouble finding even basic info. What kind of hoops do I have to jump through to get pricing information?

A. No hoops. Our pricing and info on our programs is very easy to find. For the 2025-2026 ROCK U Season (Sept/Oct to Mar) the price is $135 for one hour weekly (same day and time with the same band). Drummers who share a band with another drummer will pay a reduced rate.

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Q. Do the bands stay the same throughout the year?

A. Usually they do. They'll choose a band name, have promo pictures taken and their band remains that for the year. Some bands continue from year to year with the same band name and members. 

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Q. We’re in! How do I register?

A. Simply fill out our online ROCK U Registration form, with your availability. We will then contact you regarding auditions, days and times etc. You don't pay anything until you've been accepted into the program and have been confirmed your start date and time. 

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Q. How does Volunteering work in ROCK U?

A. If there is a band that requires a musician/vocalist and a ROCK U student who is already in one band wishes to volunteer to help out in another group, that band is completely free of charge for them. You will ONLY pay 1 tuition. If a drummer who is paying a reduced tuition decides to volunteer to play another instrument in a band, they will pay for the volunteer band and regular band what is equal to a full tuition. If they decide to volunteer in a third band, that will be completely free. 

 

Q. How many concerts?

A. Given our reduced ROCK U year which now ends in March instead of June, we offer 2 performing events outside of TMC and 1 pizza jam night. 

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Q. We really want to do ROCK U. but have many extra-curricular activities on the go. Is it okay if we miss a few classes here and there?

A. ROCK U. requires regular, weekly attendance from everyone. If you suspect extra-curricular schedules might cause interruptions in regular attendance we ask that you join ROCK U. at a point in time when your schedule is less busy. We ask that if you sign up for ROCK U that you continue with your band for the duration of the program. It is very disrupting to the groups to leave a band partway through the year. 

 

Q. My child would like to try playing in a band but has anxiety around performing. Is there a way he could just try it and not perform live?

A. Yes! We hear you! That’s exactly why we created “House Band”. It’s a 10 week session. They rehearse. Learn fun songs. It’s 30 minutes a week and no performances. 

 

Q. My daughter really wants to sing and play keyboards. Can she do that? 

A. Absolutely! We encourage all of our musicians to sing if they can!

 

 Q. My son is really into Heavy Metal and doesn’t want to play Pop music. Can he just play the music he wants to?

A. Our goal is to provide students with the experience THEY want in ROCK U. That’s why we ask on our ROCK U. registration form to select your favourite genres. If he selects “Heavy Metal” he will be placed into a Heavy Metal group (if there are enough students who select Heavy Metal). We can’t guarantee every genre will be available because that’s always subject to who signs up, but genre choice is something we take very seriously.

 

Q. The 6 month session already started for a ROCK U. program. Can I still join after it started?

A. If the instrumentation that you are bringing is required in the ROCK U. program you want, then yes, you can be placed into that group. If there are enough students to start a new session of ANY ROCK U program and we have the available coaches and studio space, we would start an entirely new group.

 

Q. How does auditioning work?

A. We used to do in person auditions but now we will just ask for a short video of the student playing to the best of their abilities. If you are a student at TMC and your teacher recommends you for the program based on your abilities, the audition is waived.

 

 Q. Do you offer ROCK U. for adults?

A. Yes we do!

 

Q. Why do some programs require private lessons at TMC?

A. Our TMC teachers and coaches work together to prepare the students for success in the ROCK U. programs. We have found this partnership to be beneficial over the years. At age 15 + lessons are recommended at TMC, but are no longer required as long as the student is self-sufficient on their instrument and can learn the parts required for each rehearsal.

 

Q. My child is taking lessons elsewhere and loves their teacher but wants to participate in ROCK U. but it states TMC Lessons Required for his age group. Can we do ROCK U?

A. We very much prefer if the student is working in conjunction with a TMC teacher as in-house preparation for ROCK U. songs is easier to facilitate between coaches and teachers. In special cases if the outside teacher is willing to help the student prepare for their weekly ROCK U. program then we could consider it on a case by case basis. Proof of enrolment with another teacher would be required. If preparation with an outside teacher becomes an issue, we would then have to look at alternate arrangements. 

 

Q. What are Jam Nights?

A. For certain ROCK U programs we will host jam nights where multiple groups get together and perform material their bands are currently working on as well as get together and play. They’ll get to network with other musicians, watch other groups, play with other people and generally just have fun! These jams will take place at TMC. 

 

Q. How do you prepare the kids for stage? 

A. In ROCK U. students will be rehearsing in their actual stage formations: guitarists, bassists and keyboards will be standing up, vocalists front and center, drummers at the back etc. We strongly encourage NO music stands, binders or tablets on stage as our goal is to have our students memorize their parts/lyrics as we feel they are more engaged on stage. We do allow music in rehearsal but as we get closer to concert time, the students are reminded that they need to commit the songs to memory.

 

Q. What is stage presence?

A. Stage Presence is the art of looking like you belong on stage, while losing the self-consciousness and embracing the fact that you are where you should be. It takes a lot of practice to be “in the moment” enough to allow yourself to enjoy the time spent on stage. ROCK U doesn't work on choreography or anything that can come across as staged or phony. The only authentic way to be comfortable on stage is to perform live, a lot. As students gain more live experience they'll find what works for them. 

 

Q. What is ROCK U. Fest?

A. ROCK U. Fest replaced TMC’s year end rock festival in 2023. It is a spring session that consists of 4, 30 minute group rehearsals and 1 concert. March/April is the sign up time for ROCK U. Fest. Students will be given a survey application to fill out where they will choose a song that suits their age group & ability and work on it during private lessons and at home. At the end of May, beginning of June, ROCK U FEST students will end their private lessons and go into their ROCK U FEST Groups. ROCK U. Fest is for ages 10 and up. Younger students will have the option to perform in TMC's SPOTLIGHT RECITAL or remain in lessons during this time. Info for ROCK U FEST is sent out in March/April. 

 

Q. How do we withdraw from ROCK U.?

A. If there are any underlying issues related to the program withdraw request, please let us know before it does get to that point so we can look at a possible solution. We do require a 2 week notice period via email. Any tuition pre-paid in advance will then be refunded.