Rock Band League

Rock Band League

Think Youth Sports league, but for Rock and Roll. It’s also the most fun your kids will have all year.

Every spring and fall, the coolest kids in Birmingham get together to join a band with other musicians close to their age and skill level. Each band is matched with an expert coach who helps them build their confidence and harness their talents in once-a-week rehearsals. By the end of the season, bands will have performed in three of the best venues in Birmingham and made some of the best memories of their lives. There truly is nothing else like Rock Band League!

Open to Performers Ages 10-18

Guitar, Keys, Voice, and Drums are the main instruments our students play in rock band league.

Rock Band League provides performance opportunities for keyboardists; acoustic, electric, and bass guitarists; vocalists, and drummers to play with a group of band mates with similar abilities.

Why Parents Love Rock Band League

Every student gets a space to shine in a RBL band. Some of our kids are total rockstars and take to the stage immediately, while others take a while to build their courage. No matter where a student is in their journey, they will always have a place on the RBL stage. You won’t ever have to watch your kid disappointed because their coach made them sit out on the bench.

Many parents find themselves exhausted by their children’s extracurriculars. As parents ourselves, we designed RBL to be the perfect fit for a busy family schedule. Practices are once a week on Sundays, and practice times and locations are determined by the band’s preferences. No rain-outs or reschedules. Our three performances dates are already scheduled, and there won’t be any other required events during the season. Plus, all of our shows are split up by age, so you can be present for your child’s performance and not have to sit through additional performances.

One of our biggest beliefs at Mason Music is that nothing is more motivating than performing music that is fun and exciting to you. RBL students choose their own set list, so they REALLY get into their shows! You’d be surprised how great these kids’ taste in music is. You will be blown away when you see them take the stage playing anything from classic rock hits to Taylor Swift and everything in between.

RBL students don’t just become better musicians through the course of a semester in the program. They are also developing skills that will last their entire lives. Collaboration and communication skills are built in the practice rooms and many performers discover their own confidence and individuality on stage. Music lessons also contribute to better skills across the board including increased vocabulary, logic and reasoning, hand-eye-coordination, reading comprehension, and more. Being a part of RBL is actually GOOD for your kids.

Hear from Rock Band League Parents

My daughter decided to give Rock Band League a try, and it has provided her with opportunities to build relationships, take chances, problem-solve, and lead; all while growing as a musician! Her growth as a person has been incredible since starting at Mason Music, and RBL has played a big part in this. It is pretty awesome to watch all of the kids perform on the big stages around Birmingham, and we are so thankful that our daughter has been a part of this program!

RBL Parent

From making new friends, working together as a team, taking instruction from a talented musician, being accountable for doing your part/practicing, building confidence with going on stage and being positively encouraged and supportive to be an individual. It’s simply an amazing experience, I’m so happy it is offered (Kiddos to Will Mason for creating such an awesome business!) and we got to be apart of it!

RBL Parent

Your Frequently Asked Questions – Answered

How old does my child need to be to join Rock Band League?
The youth division is open to any young musician 10-18 years old with a basic knowledge of their instrument.
When will the bands rehearse?
All regular rehearsals will be scheduled for Sunday afternoons/evenings. Bands will practice each week with their coach over the course of 12 weeks.
When and where are the performances this season?
February 16th: Woodlawn Theatre

March 16th: Saturn

April 27th: Iron City*

*tentative on venue confirmation
What are the registration fees for RBL?
Rock Band League registration is $500 for returning rockers and $525 for new rockers* for the semester (plus a $5 online processing fee). This covers:
- - Coaches’ pay
  - Equipment and maintenance
  - Venue fees (Three performance dates are included in the registration fee. Additional optional performance opportunities may require a separate fee.)
  - Sound engineers
  - Administrative costs
  - Every rocker gets a t-shirt and other swag included in their registration
  - *New RBLers get a welcome pack with an RBL backpack to keep up with their gear and materials.
What are the rules for participating in Rock Band League?
RBL rules can be found here.
What are the requirements for joining Rock Band League?
All requirements for each instrument can be found here.
Can adults participate?
WHY LET THE KIDS HAVE ALL THE FUN? Short answer – it depends. Long answer – we have the ability to put together an adult RBL band, but it is entirely dependent on finding the right mix of musicians. If you are interested, your best bet is putting your own band together. Email us at programs@masonmusic.com and let us know if you’re interested in adult RBL and we will work to see if we can make your dream of getting on stage with a band come true!
What kind of gear do I need?
Truly, all you need is an instrument to practice on at home. Drums, keyboards, amps, and mics are provided at rehearsals and performances. Guitarists and bassists need their own guitars, but that’s it. Of course, for our more advanced and discerning musicians, we have plenty of gear recommendations on your quest for the perfect tone.

Rock Band League is the best opportunity for students to join a band and grow as musicians.

Ask a Question

Mason Music’s Rock Band League consists of two youth divisions: openers for the younger rockers and headliners for the oldest. Bands in both divisions are made up of drummers, guitarists, bassists, keyboard/pianists and vocalists and led by experienced, professionally trained coaches from Mason Music. Coaches meet with their band over the course of 12 weeks to rehearse once a week for 90-minutes and work on the fundamentals of playing with other musicians. These fundamentals consist of choosing the right songs, learning individual parts, playing in time, memorizing song arrangements and polishing up your stage presence in addition to more technical aspects of sound check and gear maintenance. This semester of training helps each band member work hard and take the stage with confidence. Bands can always schedule extra rehearsals as needed.

Each band will get the opportunity to perform live at premier venues around Birmingham, culminating in a final “Battle of the Bands.” Previous performance venues include Iron City, Workplay, Saturn, Woodlawn Theatre, Zydeco, Haven, and Avondale Brewery. We pack out the house with friends, family, and fans to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our bands. Don’t underestimate the impact of having a professional photographer snapping shots of your rockstar on stage either. Photos from RBL are framed and hanging on the wall of many local rockers!

Click here to see Portico Magazine’s feature story on Rock Band League.