THE BAM! PROGRAM
Bam Founder Bobby Flores has devised a system of color coded levels for BAM training, similar to the belt colors in Martial Arts. The level a student is at is noted by the color of the notebook they receive upon enrollment and upon promotion to the next level. The Level System allows students, parents and instructors to have an better understanding of their progress as well as an understanding of what the student should be learning at each level.
Level One (Blue) - This program signifies a student’s formal acceptance into our Academy! The student will attend a weekly private lesson and possibly a 1 hour group lesson in addition. At this level, the student will begin their formal training in appropriate techniques, basic music theory and sight reading skills. (Foundation Building Stage of Programs) Level One lasts for a 6-month term (25 lessons from date of enrollment).
Level Two (Green) - At Level Two, the student will continue to attend a weekly private lesson and may also be eligible to participate in a one hour class/group each week. This level also lasts for a 6-month term. At the discretion of the instructor, the student may receive practice tracks by email to begin playing along with in preparation for involvement in BAM’s ensembles and lab bands. Our students are also introduced to harmony at this level.
Level Three (Red) - This phase of training consists of 2 six-month terms, increases the weekly private lesson time and grants the student eligibility into BAM’s ensembles and Elite Lab Bands. The student attends a weekly private lesson along with the potential to audition for one of BAM’s lab bands. At this stage the student should have a clear understanding of basic music theory and basic sight reading skills. This program will begin to develop the student’s soloing and improvisational skills as well as continuing harmony studies began in Level 2.
Level Four (Silver) - At this level, the weekly private lesson time is in addition to the opportunity to participate in Lab Band classes. This program focuses on intermediate soloing and improvisational skills, and adds more advanced instruction on harmonizing, intermediate music theory, arranging, composition and stage performance techniques. The student will also be introduced to basic sound physics. Level 4 also lasts for 2 six-month terms.
Level Five (Gold) - This is a 2 term program consisting of weekly one-hour advanced private lessons along with participation in BAM’s elite ensembles and lab bands, and Advanced Music Theory. This program continues to advance the student’s harmonizing skills and knowledge of intermediate music theory, composition, stage performance techniques, and understanding of sound physics. At this stage the student should be able to perform intermediate soloing and improvisational techniques. The student will begin to learn transcription/transposition, basic conducting, basic recording techniques, recording software, and required compositional pieces. The student will also be required to attend special live-stage training field trips and will also be introduced to additional instruments (new) and taught the basics of their techniques. The student will have the opportunity to watch actual studio recordings and to record their choice of performance material in BAM’s recording facility. CDs of the student’s selected performance will be available for friends and family.
Star Elite (Purple) - This program is available to BAM students that have successfully completed all 5 of the previous program levels. In this exclusive phase of high-level training, the student attends an advanced weekly one-hour private lesson along with participation in BAM’s Elite Ensembles/Lab Bands, and Advanced Theory classes. The student will continue to develop advanced skills in transcription, transposition, harmonization and stage performance techniques. At this level the student should exhibit intermediate harmonizing skills and have a sound understanding of music theory, composition, arranging, stage performance techniques, and sound physics in order to move on to the advanced training level in the same areas. The student will learn basic studio engineering, band/session leading skills, booking and promotion techniques, and music business management and teaching skills. The student will receive special backstage privileges and will be featured performing on-stage at one or more venue performances. The student will have the opportunity to be present at live recording sessions and will have the opportunity to record on one or more recording studio projects and will be listed on the album’s credits.