The music scene of Grand Rapids has exploded over the years, and a big portion of this success can be attributed to the work of local musicians who not only have pursued their craft to the level that is now capturing national magazines’ attention but contribute their expertise in a new way — teaching.
Sure, teaching music has always been a part of most of our culture growing up. Who doesn’t recall the joys or, in my case, the pains of having to sit next to an elderly person trying to teach me scales on the piano.
Boy has a lot changed when you look at what locally is available to kids as rockers, rappers, and even folk singers are popping up all over the city, offering access to their skills to a new and younger generation.
One organization that has sought to connect young musicians to our local talent is the Triumph Music Academy, which will be celebrating their fifth year of operation with a special anniversary concert, aptly titled “The Big Gig,” held at Wealthy Theatre.
Triumph Music Academy, founded in 2011 by James Hughes, provides one-on-one mentorship under career musicians and then gathers these budding young talented musicians for a night of celebration.
At this concert, you can expect to hear a diversity of genres, including jazz, rock, hip hop, indie, blues, electronic, punk, classical, bluegrass, pop, metal, and r&b.
These students and members of the Triumph Music Academy will be appearing in bands, as solo performers, and even in ensembles. Ages on stage range from eight to more than 50, with a variety of backgrounds being represented, as well as an equal amount of female and male performers.
The night will include covers of songs like “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and "Sugar We’re Going Down,” as well as original compositions.
And while there are a host of other schools in Grand Rapids to consider, what makes Triumph stand out is that they were the first institution in West Michigan to offer year-round rock band classes, a hip-hop program and professional recording lessons through River City Studios.
If you are interested in seeing the result of this very hands-on approach to bridging the gap between instruction and professionalism of performance, then you must get to The Big Gig to experience it live.
Admission: $7 in advance, $10 day-of.
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