21st annual Waltham Rock Band Camp showcases youth music talent 

Drummer Tessa Allia boomed out: “One, two, three, four!” 

Allia’s count-in is a call to action, as much as a cue to establish tempo, announcing the start of another rehearsal of the finale song, “School’s Out.”

The young musicians, a collaboration between middle school and high school bands, launch into a near-perfect cover of Alice Cooper’s classic anthem celebrating the start of summer. Allia holds a steady beat, as does Austin Chabot on guitar. The range of both young and maturing voices gives Cooper a solid run for his money. Orion Willoughby and Luke Wozek join on horns and, with a stable of other musicians on stage, lend a new vibe to the ’70s tune.

All of this is happening in an empty auditorium at Waltham High School one recent summer day.

It’s a scene that has played out in one form or another for 21 years, starting in 2004 with a six-member ensemble that made up the inaugural Waltham Rock Band Camp. 

Kevin Burke and Kevin Coyne, both music teachers within the Waltham Public Schools system, started the camp after they recognized that musically inclined students needed a place where they could perform and collaborate. 

The program is now co-directed by Burke and Brad Ellenberg, who recently retired from the Waltham High music program. Both are passionate about music and nurturing the musical talent of the participants.

Every summer since its start, the multiweek camp has offered middle and high school students the chance to channel their inner rock star. And every summer returning and new students challenge themselves with learning and performing new music. Some sing while others play guitar, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments. 

Camp participants are quick to praise the program, saying it is a unique opportunity to hone their musical talent, perform for a live audience and grow as individuals.

Mia Young, a past participant and a 2023 Waltham High graduate, said the camp helped her come out of her shell and become more outgoing. Young spent two years with the camp as a lead singer. 

“My favorite part about rock band camp was definitely the night of the performance!” she said. “Being able to perform made me feel like all my hard work had paid off.” 

Allia, a six-year participant of the program, said she particularly likes how the camp has younger and older musicians interacting with each other and admires how the program “showcases growth” among all of them.  

Others shared similar observations. Evelyn Brophy, a member of the middle school band, said that she thinks “of the high schoolers as role models” to which her sister, Danika Brophy, quickly noted that she and her sister enjoy “watching the older kids play.” 

This relationship between the high schoolers and middle schoolers highlights the sense of community that the camp and the students’ love of music foster.

The camp now draws some 50 students annually. Middle school students meet four days a week for two weeks, while high schoolers meet twice a week for a month. They typically form several bands. 

Each summer’s camp is capped by a performance open to the public. This year’s show is Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m., at Waltham High School, 554 Lexington St. 

It will feature 25 songs from a mix of genres, including rock, Motown and the blues, performed by musicians ages 11 to 18. 

Tickets can be purchased at the door: $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Ticket proceeds go to the Walter Tokarczyk Scholarship, which is given every year to one graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in music. Burke established the scholarship to honor the longtime Waltham Public Schools music director and drummer Walter Tokarczyk. Tokarczyk, who died in 2005, was a member of the U.S. Army Band, the Boston Pops and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.