By Phyllis Pollack
The Recording Accademy announced yesterday that it will hold the premiere for the new full-length documentary film, entitled Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp at The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on February 5, 2013.
The red carpet event that will debut the film's release, will help raise awareness about Grammy in the Schools and music education.
The film features both music students and famous performers.
The full-length feature music documentary surrounds the endearing personalities and passions of of 83 talented teenage high school musicians that participated in Grammy Camp, one of the Grammy Foundation’s Grammy in the Schools music education programs for high school students and schools.
Within eight challenging days, the students meet each another for the first time, collaborate, compose original music, and produce a special concert performance.
During this special Grammy Camp week, the hand-picked group get insights from top musicians, including Gavin Rossdale, Boyz II Men, Dave Koz, and Grammy Award winners Barry Manilow and Pearl Jam’s Dave Krusen.
In addition to the Grammy Museum debut, Happy on the Ground: 8 Days at Grammy Camp, the film will be distributed on February 5, 2013 and available for digital download through all traditional channels.
The film also delves into the lack of music education funding in the country's public school system, a detriment to the music industry’s future and aspiring musicians.
The documentary shows the determination of the students at Grammy Camp, which creates opportunities to still find hope in the art of music. The camp’s mission is to provide high school students with an interactive residential summer music experience.
Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an insulated, creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities.
The Grammy Camp program offers seven music career paths, which are Audio Engineering; Concert Promotion/Production; Electronic Music Production; Marketing & Management, Music Journalism; Songwriting and a Performance Track for Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal, and Winds & Strings.
All tracks culminate in media projects, recordings and/or showcase performances.
The film's title was inspired the song "Fallen," which ends with the line "Happy on the Ground." The composition was written by Katie, one of the student in the film.
The students come from a variety of backgrounds. The film's Endea is a bass player from the roughest, most dangerous streets of Detroit, Michigan, where there are 200 schools, but solely four with music programs. She shows that with passion and determination, anything is possible.
Anik, of Indian descent, talks about being ignored and not being “popular” in school, but playfully plots to have the last laugh with his powerful voice and passionate songwriting. He successfully inspires the most popular girls at camp with his smooth performance.
While not mentioned in the film, many successful rock stars have spoken of not being popular in school, but ending up becoming successful rock stars.
Grant is just 14 years old, but through his musicianship, conveys the soul of someone who has spent 40 years on the bayou with his guitar playing and blues singing.
For talented students wanting to be a part of Grammy Camp 2013, the application deadline is March 31, 2013. Applications are online at www.grammyintheschools.com.
In the past, approximately 75 percent of Grammy Camp participants who have applied for financial aid received assistance.
The documentary is not simply a venture into creating a captivating film. It will give viewers a chance to see the benefit of Grammy Camp, and the need to support its mission.
The Grammy Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture, from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals.
The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public.
The Grammy Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving a rich, musical cultural heritage.
The Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy.
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