Rock Camp

Students should prepare two separate excerpts from the rock/pop genre of at least 16 bars. The two excerpts should be examples of contrasting styles and tempos within the history of rock and pop music.

Please submit your video as an MP4 file format, YouTube, or Vimeo link. Any simple recording device, such as an iPhone, is acceptable. We just want to be able to see and hear you clearly. You may play along with tracks, but we must be able to distinguish you performing live from the prerecorded tracks.

Awesome! Feel free to perform 16-32-bar excerpts for each instrument you want to audition with.

Music will be chosen from a wide variety of rock music from the 1960’s to current day and determined depending on the groups interest and technical abilities.

Your audition does not need to be memorized however we find that memorizing often adds to a level of comfort and confidence for you in the audition. Choose something you are familiar with and feel confident playing.

Composer / Guitarist, Crispin Catricala received a B.A. in Music Composition from SUNY at New Paltz (82) and a M.S. in Music Education from the College of Saint Rose (93). He began studying guitar at age 13 and performing at age 17 with numerous groups. Crispin co-founded the regional celebrated World Beat ensemble Pangaea (92-07). The 15-year-old ensemble, known for mixing equal parts Caribbean Funk, Afro/Cuban and Jazz Rock into a high- energy performance has shared the stage with such musical artists such as Hugh Masakela and Richie Havens. The band released a self -titled recording in 1998, which contains many of Crispin’s originally composed songs. Crispin also released a duet recording of mostly original compositions with mallet vibraphonist Dave Casner entitled “Geo Beat Duo” (2012). In addition Crispin taught at Ballston Spa Middle School as music instructor and jazz band director for over 25 years, where he often mentored and encouraged his students to form bands of their own. Crispin continues to teach privately in his home studio. He is currently performing solo as well with several projects including Geo Beat, The Stone House Trio and The Swing Docs. 

Drummer/percussionist, Andrew Hearn grew up playing in bands with friends around central New York. He began playing out professionally while in college at the Crane School of Music. After graduating, he played shows for Music Theater North (summer stock theater in Potsdam) which led to two 3-month tours of Europe. After returning home, Andrew started his teaching career at South Colonie Central Schools and has been an active member of the capital region music scene performing and/or recording with various rock, pop, jazz, theater and blues groups. He has played local concerts such as Albany’s Alive at Five, Concerts at the Plaza Series, Jazz on Jay St, Lark Fest, Captain JP Blues Cruise and more. Andrew’s drumming has been aired on local radio stations: 102.7 WEQX, 103.9, 106.5 WPYX, as well as XM Sirius Satellite Radio and local TV (Time Warner’s The Sounding Board). Recent recording credits include the Joe Finn Trio Plus One “Generational Dynamics” and Tas Cru’s “Memphis Song” and “Drive On”. Tas Cru’s three most recent recordings (with Andrew on drums) all have won a Syracuse Area Music Award for best blues recording. Mr. Hearn has an enthusiasm for the evolution of drum-set playing in all styles of music and he’s looking forward to rocking with you! 

Michael Craner is a two-time Grammy nominee and has been active as a bassist, conductor and music educator in the Northeast for the past 28 years. Mr. Craner is a very active performing as well as recording studio electric/acoustic bassist in the Northeast including being the bassist for the House Band at the Strand Theatre [Hudson Falls], Maxine Linehan, Better Off Led [Led Zeppelin tribute], Tumblin’ Dice [Rolling Stones tribute], Amelia and The Wild Ones [80’s hard rock] as well as numerous other freelance jazz and rock groups. He holds a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. In addition, Mr. Craner is a professional conductor who studied under Frank Battisti, William Drury, Dr. Julie Pretzat and Dr. Jerry Exline. Craner is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Castleton University and Music Director for the Lake George Community Band. Mr. Craner is also the Director of the High School Symphonic Band and Schuylerville High School Jazz Ensemble at Schuylerville Central Schools. He has guest conducted numerous All-County Ensembles including the Central Adirondack Schools High School All-County Band, Rensselear County All-County Jazz Ensemble, Saratoga Warren County All-County Jazz Ensemble, Washington County Symphonic Band, Fulton County All-County Symphonic Band and the North East Instrumental Music Festival Honor Band in Lake Placid. In addition, Craner has been an adjunct faculty member at RPI in Troy, NY where he directed the RPI Jazz Ensemble and Adirondack Community College.