League Of Rock is a Canadian phenomenon originally developed by Canadian entrepreneurs Terry Moshenberg and Topher Stott. Every day people in Ottawa have the opportunity to join hockey leagues, bowling leagues, and football leagues.... well now for the musically inclined, there is a music league.
League Of Rock provides musicians of any skill level the power to meet other adults who play or sing, to learn from pro's, record in world class studios and perform in great live venues... all in ten weeks flat. League organizers bring in famous and professional musicians to workshop with and companies ask league organizers to execute music-based team building events with famous and professional musicians as coaches.
As Ottawa counts down to the launch of the League Of Rock, I had a chance to speak with the Terry and Topher about the authentic music experience that LOR provides to all those who want to live out the dream....
Terry Moshenberg Topher Stott
What is about League Of Rock that makes it so successful?
People take their creative outlet for granted. Adults tend to put their creative outlet on hold, and provide as many of their resources as possible to their kids. When grownups get to a certain age and the kids are well on their way, they wake up and realize it's time for them to return to the things that truly made them happy. The League Of Rock is the most authentic music experience for adults in North America. What makes it so successful is the people who take part... the members... they truly need a creative outlet, and they pursue their musical dreams with deep commitment. The result is great friends, a solid community, fabulous music and incredible live entertainment for audiences far and wide.
It's the community ... the members themselves, who have made it such a great success. They are taking a chance by putting themselves out there and make music with people that they have not even met at the start of the 10 weeks. They slowly become a band over the 10 weeks as they pursue their musical passion. We have worked hard to create a safe place for these musicians to dust off their gear, get out of the basement and re-join the rock 'n' roll revolution!
What made you start League Of Rock?
(Terry) I had a year to reinvent myself after I'd sold my company. I didn't want to go back to doing the same thing. I had an open mind and as I pondered where I wanted to be personally, I noticed other folks my age desiring the same thing... to go back to my roots... to find the things that made me truly happy inside. Many people around my age were starting to bring their instruments out of the closets and were starting to get jam sessions going again. I decided to pursue my passion in a more meaningful way... People my age join leagues for hockey, baseball, and many other types of sport... but there's never been a league for adult non-pro musicians. Thus the League Of Rock was invented.
(Topher) I was presented a very interesting idea of non-pro adults making music together by Terry about five years ago, and I was intrigued by the concept of collective learning. It was an amazing opportunity to inspire people to really get connected to music and to their communities. For me personally, it was also an opportunity to combine the two elements of my life - being a professional musician and an entrepreneur. It was the best of both worlds, and I haven't looked back since.
What is it about music that draws people together?
Deep, emotional sharing. Music is a deeper, more emotional language. When people share the making of music, the level of emotional satisfaction is incredible. There's no feeling like making music together.
Music is truly a universal language. Everyone has a connection to music. The chance to get out of the basement and play in a band is too great an opportunity to pass up. With over 1,000 people having experienced the League Of Rock, there have been numerous amazing connections that have been made. From lifelong friendships, to marriages, the League Of Rock has seen it all.
What should the 'hidden music population' of Ottawa know about the League of Rock's 'adult rock recreational' experience?
The League Of Rock is not a rock camp, and it's not a school of rock. This is a deeply authentic music experience for adults. If you want to meet other adults who play an instrument or sing... if you want to learn from pro's, record in world class recording studios and perform in great live venues... then join the League Of Rock.
The League Of Rock will give you access to the music industry in a way that would not be possible otherwise. You will have the chance to record in world class studios, work with the best musicians in the country, and really get up on stage a play in a truly authentic band. You can take this once in a lifetime experience and make it your creative outlet that is a part of your everyday life.
When the 10 weeks are done... is there a common sentiment among participants once they've successfully completed the experience?
Yes. Everyone says... "When can we do it again!"... it's the best music-based experience you'll ever have.
I think the most common sentiment is pride, pride in what they have accomplished as individuals, pride in what they have accomplished as a band, and pride in what the League Of Rock Community is all about. And then the next question is "When can we get back on stage?"
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