Plugged In Band Program Looking for Summer Standouts

With school ready to let out for the summer, Needham's musically talented youth will have a chance to keep on strumming their guitars and slapping the bass throughout the season with Plugged In Teen Band classes, which are registering musicians this Saturday.

The summer session of the program begins on July 6 and the non-profit will be taking sign-ups from 3- 6 p.m. on June 19. The Band Class program will be the one offered when the session begins.

"We have unlimited openings always…we never turn anyone away," said Sandra Rizkallah of Plugged In.

Rizkallah explained that after Plugged In receives registration forms, they make sure that participants are placed with like-minded individuals.

"(We) put bands together based on age, skill level, musical interest, personality and availability," she said.

The age range of students is typically between nine and 20, said Rizkallah, but they are "flexible" for younger children who are ready to learn.

Classes of four to six students meet twice a week for an hour and a half at a time. The total session lasts for five weeks and involves work with guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Students choose the music played, with teacher guidance. At the end of the program, students will have learned how to play various covers, as well as originals in some cases.

"We put a lot of time into creating the bands so that the experience is a positive and fulfilling one for the students," Rizkallah stated.

Registration for Plugged In's Band Class will take place on Saturday at 214 Garden St. For more information, call 781-956-4281 or visit www.pluggedinband.org.