A Metallica song roars from a room just off the lobby at Lenoir-Rhyne University's Mauney Music Building. In another corner there's Nirvana. Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and White Stripes tunes shake the doors down a short hallway.
This is Rock Camp. Seven bands, 36 students and one week in which to sharpen skills, form groups, master two cover songs, write an original piece and perform a concert.
The goal for Tuesday morning was for each band to have its first cover song down. They formed the bands Monday, picking out names and genres and assigning instruments.
Students, who range in age from 11 to 18, will squeeze in lessons on good rehearsal practices, performance skills, songwriting, drums, guitar, bass, promotion, the music businesses and the history of rock 'n' roll this week.
"It's not easy," said instructor Rick Cline. "It's going to get harder."
This is the second year of Rock Camp. Cline, a drummer and teacher, and Tony Eltora, a guitarist and instructor, put on the camp last year.
Returning student Lindsay Gurley, 14, said she got a crash course in something every aspiring musician needs. She learned to take charge, all 5 feet and 100 pounds of her.
Gurley ended up in a band last year with 17- and 18-year-olds, singing Metallica instead of the Taylor Swift she was used to.
"My band didn't want to work together and I had to learn to be responsible for someone other than just myself," she said.
Anthony Felkins and William Burns, both 15, formed a group after going through last year's rock camp. Felkins also still plays live gigs with the band he was in last year, Equilibrium. He thinks that's still the name they use.
He and Burns can sometimes be found plucking away at psychedelic tunes downtown at Drip's.
How many 15-year-olds do they know who are comfortable enough to play live around town?
"Uh, us," Burns said.
Down the hall, the Sloppy Popsicles are working on Sabbath's "Paranoid."
"Can you guys please stay for the whole song," asks a never-still Lawson Huggins, 13. "We really need an audience."
The drummer, 12-year-old Brooke DeLeary, was obviously paying attention during rehearsal skills class.
"Well, we haven't made it through the whole song yet so we need to practice," she reminded him.
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