Girls Rock Campaign Boston

Target demographics: girls 8-17 years old

Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 200 youth through our year round calendar of programs

Geographic areas served: Greater Boston Area

Programs: Summer Sessions: GRCB runs two week-long summer sessions at a music facility provided through a partnership with Berklee College of Music. During the summer sessions, 140 girls ages 8-17 receive technical instruction on bass, guitar, drums, keyboard, or vocals. Participants receive two hours of intensive instruction each day with practiced musicians. Bands write an original song under the guidance of two qualified volunteers. Participants are also given the chance to experiment with other artistic media in our Spoken Word, ‘Zine-Making, and Screenprinting workshops, and attend daily self-esteem building and empowerment workshops such as Media Literacy and Intersectional Feminism. After five days of practice and collaboration, each band performs their original song in front of a live audience at Brighton Music Hall in Allston. Summer Session Intern Program: Our intern program is open to girls ages 16-18 who have participated in GRCB or demonstrate an exceptional interest in the GRCB mission. Interns assist with instrument instruction and, with the support of an adult volunteer, the intern group develops and presents a workshop on Media Literacy. The interns also create a original song and perform at the showcase. This program allows us to continue engagement with girls at a transitional stage in their development, helping them build their leadership and mentoring abilities. This summer our intern program will engage 10 young women. Club GRCB: Club GRCB is an after-school program for girls grades 6-12. Programming consists of instrument instruction, a variety of workshops and band practice. Workshops have included Careers in Music presented by Berklee College, Electronics Workshops and Songwriting. All bands record their song at a professional studio with a female sound engineer and create music videos. The girls perform at a showcase at the end of the session. The capacity of this program is 20 girls per semester. GRCB BEATS: BEATS programming uses art, music education, and performance to help girls grow measurably in confidence, self-expression, peer support, and collaboration skills. The girls create music electronically, connecting our youth to technology and expanding their 21st century skills. The girls will form bands, write an original song, create a music video, and perform at a culminating community event. BEATS is currently operating in two schools. The East Somerville Community School, where we serve up to 15 girls in grades 3-8 grades, and Mother Caroline Academy in Dorchester, MA where we we serve up to 15 girls in grades 4-6. Additionally, two Teen Leaders will help facilitate, teach, and empower girls at each BEATS site. Ladies Rock Camp Boston (LRCB): During LRCB, women 21 and over receive instrument instruction, form bands, write original songs and attend various feminist and music workshops over the course of three days. LRCB raises financial support for GRCB and works to build a supportive community of women, many who serve as future volunteers. This program serves 90 women throughout two annual sessions in March and April.