The Maine Academy of Modern Music, Portland’s very own school of rock, wants people to see how big it has become.
The youth music school is moving into a 4,000-square-foot building at 125 Presumpscot St. in Portland. That’s about 10 times bigger than its previous space near Woodfords Corner.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Jeff Shaw, founder and director of MAMM.
To show how thrilled, MAMM is hosting an open house at the newly renovated, leased space on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be live performances from MAMM student bands, as well as the school’s Maine Youth Rock Orchestra. There also will be free donuts, pizza, coffee and soda at various times during the event.
Mayor Michael Brennan will preside over a ribbon cutting at noon.
The building, brick with a glass front, was part of a railroad complex at one time.
Besides its former home on Revere Street near Woodfords Corner, MAMM also has been renting space from several other groups. So the new space is allowing the school to consolidate its lessons and programs under one roof.
MAMM was started about eight years ago, by Shaw, for young rock musicians. The school offers camps, helps get kids together in bands, and gives lessons in instruments like electric bass and electric guitar. The school has five instructors.
The school hosts several concert events each year so students can show what they’ve learned and gain confidence, including the annual Girls Rock! concert and the MAMM Slam battle of the bands competition.
Shaw has said his goal is to do for garage bands what Little League did for sandlot baseball: organize youngsters and let them play.
For more information on MAMM, go to Maineacademyofmodernmusic.org.
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