Fall 2026 bands for ages 9-18 with Charlie Smith
Join a band, rock out and make friends! Students meet together in the garage at the Lake Harriet House of Music for practice one evening a week to learn songs from a variety of modern and classic rock artists.
Over the fall session, bands will put together a set of songs and play two concerts at local music venues.
Performances
Rock U Halloween Showcase
Sunday October 25th, 1:00-4:30pm, Bryant Lake Bowl
Rock U Fall Showcase
Sunday December 13th, 1:00-5:00pm, Uptown VFW
Rock U 101
Grades 4-8
Mondays 6:00-7:00pm
September 14th-December 14th (14 weeks)
Band tuition: $600
Rock U 301
Grades 9-12
Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm
September 8th-December 15th (14 weeks)
No practice: 11/24 (Thanksgiving Break)
Band tuition: $600
Rock U 201
Grades 5-12
Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm
September 9th-December 16th (13 weeks)
No practice: 10/14 (MEA break), 11/25 (Thanksgiving break)
Band tuition: $560
Rock U 201
Grades 5-12
Thursdays 6:00-7:00pm
September 10th-December 17th (13 weeks)
No practice: 10/15 (MEA break), 11/26 (Thanksgiving break)
Band tuition: $560
Rock U with Charlie Smith
To register email Charlie@Smith-Music.com
or call/text (612) 234-1770.
Bands are open to guitar, bass, drums/percussion, keyboard, vocals, and horns. Singing and trading instruments is encouraged. Space in each band is limited to 6 members. Contact Charlie if you have questions about which band is right for your child. Registration is complete once the non-refundable band tuition is paid in full.
Charlie has played with dozens of bands in the Twin Cities, performed at notable venues like First Avenue and on national television, and toured the country. He has a B.A. in Music and has taught at the House of Music since 2011. He started Rock U in 2015 and has since taught hundreds of students in bands. Visit smith-music.com to learn more.
Fall 2026 Jam sessions for grown ups with Charlie Smith
A weekly gathering for adult musicians of all ages to play rock, folk, country, and R&B from the 1960s, '70s, & '80s. Over the fall, the band will learn a set of songs and play two concerts at a local music venue.
Bring your guitars and voices and join the band! Horns and strings are also welcomed. Keyboards, amps, and drums are provided. Advanced beginners and up — parts can be tailored to your level.
Session 1
9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21 (6 weeks)
No practice 10/14
Band tuition: $200
Performance: Groove Garden Halloween Showcase
Sunday October 25th, 1:00-4:30pm, Bryant Lake Bowl
Session 2
10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16 (7 weeks)
No practice 11/25
Band tuition: $230
Performance: Groove Garden Fall Showcase
Sunday December 13th, 1:00-5:00pm, Uptown VFW
Sign up for both session at the same time for $430 ($10 off).
Groove Garden with Charlie Smith
To inquire or register email Charlie@Smith-Music.com
or call/text (612) 234-1770.
Charlie started Grove Garden in 2024 and has a special place in his heart (and record collection) for music of the '60s, '70s, and '80s. He played it extensively in several Twin Cities cover bands including Hannah and the Dangertones (rock/funk/soul), All Tomorrow's Petty (Tom Petty), Eleganza plays Exile on Main St. (Rolling Stones), Boot Cut (country), and Sunshine Committee (rock/soul).
KEVIN BOWE'S SONGWRITING MASTER CLASS
Date: October 25, 2026
Time: 1:00-5:00
Cost: $300
Deposit: $150 to hold your spot. *See below for more details and cancellation policy.
Space is limited!
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Whether you want to write songs for yourself or you aspire to write songs for other artists, this master class will cover everything you need know to make that happen.
Spend a day feeding your passion! Kevin Bowe has written songs on 3 platinum albums and 2 Grammy winners, working with artists like Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Communist Daughter, Courtney Hadwin and Paul Westerberg. His works have over 60 million Spotify streams and they've been featured in dozens of films and TV shows from the Sopranos to ESPN.
This master class will cover both the art and business of songwriting, including topics like titles and hooks, co writing, the Nashville and LA scenes, writing for film/tv, choruses, to bridge or not to bridge, rhyming, writer's block, Performance Rights Organizations, copyrights, publishing and sync deals with many more concepts essential to staying inspired while pursuing the coolest thing about music.... the hunt for the song!
Topics covered...
-Song Titles
-Hooks
-Choruses, bridges (or not)
-Rhyming
-Co-writing
-the Nashville & LA songwriting scenes
-Writing for film & TV
-Writer's Block
-Performance Rights Organizations
-Copyrighting your songs
-Publishing
-Sync Deals
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To secure your spot in the master class, click on this link to register. Once registered, you will need to return to this page, select from the drop menu and make a depost to secure you spot in the class. Or pay first and you will then be directed to the registration form.
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Frequently Asked Questions...or ask your own questions?
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Who is this for or what level songwriter should I be?
Good question, I think there would be a lot of stuff for every level, although SOME of this MIGHT be over the head of some beginners and some might be already known by some of the advanced. But I don’t know that I would filter anyone out.
What style/genre of music is this for?
No specific style, just songwriting. Anyone who’s interested in the art/craft/business of songwriting with the exception of hip hop because that is kind of it’s own world with different rules.
What would someone expect to learn from this?
I think they would walk away being more confident in their songwriting, having some extra tools and methods they didn’t have before and a better understanding of how to protect their songs and collect on them.
What if I write songs but I’m never going to perform them or don’t care about being in the music business?
The first 3 hours will be all about the craft of songwriting. If you aren't interested in the business side, you can skip the final hour, or stick around because it’s still interesting.
What if I write songs but I’ve never recorded them or even played them for other people?
This will help you write better ones that you will be more inspired to record and play for people.
What if I do play an instrument, but I’ve never written a song, but I really would like to?
This is perfect for you and it will help you get over the first time jitters.
Will we be playing our songs for other students/participants?
I might offer “song dissection” as part of the class, yes.
Will you listen to my songs and tell me what you think? Will we play them for the class and get feedback?
I would be open to that.
What if I come up with chords progression but I don’t sing or write lyrics?
You mean you don’t write lyrics YET.
What if I write lyrics but I don’t play an instrument?
A great deal of the class will be focused on lyric writing.
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What if I’ve written songs and just want to know if they are any good and or I want to make them better or get better at writing them?
You’re in the right place.
Are you going to tell me the your secrets to writing songs?
Yes. All of them. I’m not territorial.
How do I know if I’m capable of writing a song?
By writing songs.
Are you going to give me assignments?
Yes. But you won’t be graded!
Do you have more questions? info@LHhouseofmusic.com
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*More info on payments, deposit, balance due, waitlist, etc.
Space is limited to 8 spots. A $150 deposit is required to hold your spot for the class.
The balance of $150 will be due on October 18.
Since space is limited we will have a waitlist. You will be contacted if the class is full and informed of where you are on the wait list.
Cancelled spots will be filled from the waitlist in order of sign up date.
If you need to cancel between signing up and October 15, you will be refunded your deposit it minus a $25 processing fee.
Cancellations between October 15 and October 20 after making the full payment will be refunded deposit minus $75 cancellation/processing fee.
Cancellations after October 23 are not refundable.
