As Van Halen would say, "It's the best of both worlds," as the Maine Academy of Modern Music (MAMM) in Bangor partners with the Bangor Parks and Rec Department to offer kids in Eastern Maine a chance to Rock N Roll!

Setting up in the old PAL building, up on the hill on Watchmaker St. in Bangor, MAMM  is kicking of this fall with their first round of Saturday "Bangor Rocks!" programs.

According to their website, the Bangor Rocks! seeks to take skills that students have learned independently or in private lessons and incorporate them into a band/ensemble setting.

"Bangor Rocks! weekly 75-minute band rehearsals...are focused on learning music chosen by the band, whether covers or originals. Alternatives to in-person performances, such as video recording or live streaming, will be possible."

Previous to this new partnership with Bangor Parks and Rec, MAMM had been operating out of a smaller space within the Bangor Arts Exchange building, which  presented some challenges when the state came out with Covid-19 safety regulations this past spring. Because of their new, roomy digs, students taking part in the Bangor Rocks! program will have plenty of space to practice social distancing, while also getting a chance to rock out.

MAMM Director, Jeff Shaw, says he is happy to expand MAMM's programs in the Bangor area and "looks forward to what the future holds."

The cost for kids to take part in the Bangor Rocks! program is $75 a month. And this year there's an added bonus for taking part, as students who are enrolled in a MAMM program could also receive an academic credit, thanks to another new partnership MAMM set up with  Royal Academy Education, a private online school.

If you are interested in registering your child or to find out more, you can click on this link: https://www.maineacademyofmodernmusic.org/mamm-rocks-bangor-1

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