Musicgarage gets all ages onstage

Getting your first gig is a big deal for any struggling musician — or beginning musician — for that matter.

Steve Auerbach, former coordinator for the Paul Green School of Rock, thinks he has created the solution for getting musicians that stage experience.

His latest venture, musicgarage, gathers 16 like-style musicians and forms them into a music group, which after 10 weeks of jamming and rehearsal, performs a concert.

"It's for musicians to actualize their musical skills on stage — but it's a lot cooler than a recital," Auerbach said.

The group of 16 meets once a week for two hours and is cast to songs rather than forming definitive bands.

Musicgarage focuses on collaborating with kids who are taking private lessons in jazz or rock, and connecting those students with others in an interactive, band environment.

"It creates a whole social aspect, a social platform, to help create a new music community in Salt Lake's music scene," Auerbach said.

Students will report back to their instructors about their performance progress.

"A report goes to the private lesson instructor. Then we can connect their lessons to their rehearsals to perfect their efforts," Auerbach said.

Aside from young rockers, those of an older generation, possibly still reveling from the latest Cream reunion tour, can pull out their guitars and play with a group via musicgarage. The Web site address is www.musicgarage.org.

Auerbach believes there are adults who don't have the time to start up their own band but have time to practice two hours a week.

"This will keep music in people's lives," Auerbach said.

Auerbach referred to the project as "recession proof" because musicgarage is based on simply keeping kids involved in music and doesn't require a hefty fee.

"I want to be more accessible. Who can afford a couple hundred dollars a month on an after-school program in this economy?" Auerbach said.

Musicgarage is $10 an hour for two hours per week.

The cost covers a practice facility, drums, amps, mikes, keyboards and a producer to manage the group.

Auerbach said musicgarage will help musicians reach their rock potential and help them get over the onstage jitters.

"These people already know how to play. They know how music works and how to play their instruments, but this teaches them how to utilize their craft, learning how to be a musician in a real setting with confidence," Auerbach said.

Auerbach, who will be a group producer, said is excited to be working with talented kids again, since he left School of Rock in early 2008.

Interested musicians need to be at an intermediate to advanced level to participate.

Musicgarage just started its fall session, which runs through Nov. 17.

e-mail: jnicholls@desnews.com