"Wacken:Music:Camp" and "W:M:C PRO 2024" at the Bavarian Music Academy Schloss Alteglofsheim

The Bavarian Music Academy Schloss Alteglofsheim was once again in the hands of Metalkids at the start of the new year from January 1st to 6th. The "Wacken:Music:Camp" for 13 to 17-year-olds and the music industry special "Wacken:Music:Camp PRO" for 18 to 25-year-olds were fully booked with 40 and 16 participants, respectively. The younger participants composed and wrote lyrics for their first songs in nine bands, learned to arrange them, and recorded them under professional guidance, culminating in a live performance on the final day.

Prominent instructors from the music industry contributed to the success, including bass coach Kay Lutter from IN EXTREMO, drum coach Kai Tschierschky from BEYOND THE BLACK, and guitar coach Tobias Mertens. Vocal coach Franzi Kusche also joined the team in Bavaria. Producers Nino Helfrich, Matthias Hilberer, and Mirkko Stehn collaborated on the project. The PRO Camp provided extensive expertise in areas such as the music industry (Enno Heyman/Enorm Music GmbH & Co. KG / music publishing), funding tools (Christina Gilch), and "Band as a Small Business" (Marcus Schwarzbach/BLACKOUT PROBLEMS). Practical production experience was shared by PRO Camp leader Thomas Barth (Toma Moon). In addition, PRO participants received instrumental and vocal coaching and were responsible for organizing and supervising a live gig as part of the practical component.

To make the entire experience affordable for parents and kids, the Wacken Foundation and the Music Academy Alteglofsheim played a significant role in financial support. Sustainable support also came from industry partners including Meinl Company, TAMA Drums, MEINL Cymbals, Ibanez Guitars and Basses, and Blackstar Amplification. The local backline partner was once again musicstation Piano Werner, and the trusted media partner was ROCK ANTENNE.

(Photos for reporting are royalty-free / Photo credit: Bernd Schweinar)