A: Soundhouse is organized into two divisions by grade. Junior Bands are for Artists in grades 5–9 and Senior Bands are for Artists in grades 10–12, and an Artist is placed in the division that matches their grade. Within that division, bands sit on one of three tracks — Foundation, Performance, or Premier — which set the performance load, band tours, and level of commitment. Which band an Artist joins comes down to fit: instrument, experience, and where they'll grow most.

A: You don’t need to be a pro-level player to join Soundhouse. That is what we help you become. Foundation bands are built for musicians who are still developing their fundamentals, and Performance and Premier bands take it from there. The audition is how we find the right band with the right players. It is not a test to pass or fail.

A: Soundhouse training happens in a band, not a practice room — that's the point. We don't offer private instruction, but many of our Artists study privately alongside their band work, and the two reinforce each other. We know the best private teachers in the area and we're happy to connect you.

A: Each Soundhouse band focuses on a specific style of contemporary music, and the lineup spans a wide range of genres and eras — rock, funk, jazz and big band, Latin, ska and reggae, country, pop, alternative, metal, and more. The bands running this season are listed in the Season Catalog.

A: Band members are always welcome to bring in original music in the specific style of their band. The band Producer may decide to include an original in a performance, but the focus of the Soundhouse experience is, first and foremost, to master the songs that became hits. We do encourage our members to form groups on their own outside of Soundhouse to really develop their original material.A: Soundhouse bands focus on mastering the songs that became hits — learning why they work is how you learn to write ones that do. Original material isn't typically part of a band's set, but for Artists serious about writing we offer a Songwriting certification, and we encourage you to keep developing your own material outside of your band as well.

A: Soundhouse bands have spots for vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keys, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Some bands also audition specialty instruments like fiddle, mandolin, and flute. Each band auditions a specific set of instruments, listed with that band in the Season Catalog.

A: Every Artist brings their own instrument to rehearsals, performances, and practice at home, including hand percussion such as tambourine, shakers, and claves. Soundhouse provides professional-grade shared gear at the Studio and on stage — drums, congas, timbales, keyboards, acoustic bass, guitar and bass amps, microphones, cables, and stands — so you carry your instrument and your accessories, and we handle the rest.

A: The full Season Catalog lists every band running this season — musical style, weekly rehearsal day and time, the instruments that band is auditioning, the band tour destination, the total monthly fee, and who's producing. Find it in the Season Catalog.

A: Soundhouse Artists are mentored by Producers — working professional musicians, Soundhouse Certified, who treat Artists like professionals from day one. Every staff member who works with Artists is professionally background checked, as is every member of our Tour Staff.

A: Each band rehearses once a week for two hours, in either the 3:30 or 5:30 block. Once a month that rehearsal happens in the Soundbox as an On Stage Session — same slot, same two hours, but fully mic'd, lit, and produced. Beyond the weekly block there are performances, recording sessions, video shoots, and masterclasses across the season, plus a small number of all-Soundhouse dates every Artist is required at. Those go on the calendar early so families can plan around them. Because there's typically only one player on each part, Artists are expected at 100% of their band's activities. In the rare case an Artist can't be there, it's their responsibility to arrange a substitute to cover their part.

A: Performance and Premier bands perform publicly a minimum of five times across the season — three during the concert months and two over the summer. Actual frequency is usually higher. Foundation bands carry a lighter performance load by design.

A: Every Artist pays a set Artist Program Fee of $299 per month. Performance and Premier bands add a Band Fee, which varies by band and covers band tours, recording, and filming — and your band tour is included in that amount, so there’s no separate invoice. Each band’s full monthly total is printed in the Season Catalog. New Artists also pay a one-time $199 Artist Registration Fee at acceptance.

A: Yes. Scholarships are available through the Sound Support Foundation, our affiliated 501(c)(3). Applications go directly to the Foundation at scholarships.soundsupport.org. If you have questions about fees or billing along the way, the Office Manager can help.

A: We’re confident your time at Soundhouse will be nothing short of life-changing. If you’re not blown away within the first 30 days of your Artist’s participation, tell us and we’ll refund every fee you’ve paid — no questions asked.

A: It depends on your Artist’s track. Foundation Track is month-to-month — give the Office Manager 30 days’ written notice and billing continues through that period. Performance and Premier bands are an annual commitment: an Artist who leaves mid-season, whether by withdrawal or by removal, remains responsible for the Artist Program Fee and Band Fee until a suitable replacement is found or until the season ends in August, whichever comes first. We’ll do everything we can to help fill the spot. This is separate from the 30-day guarantee above, which covers your Artist’s first month regardless of track.

A: Band tour destinations change yearly and vary from band to band. Past band tours have taken Soundhouse Artists across the US to New York, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and New Orleans, and internationally to China, France, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, Cuba, the UK, Canada, Croatia, and the Netherlands, among others. Each band’s destination for the current season is listed in the Season Catalog.

A: Band tours are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Artists to perform in amazing venues across the country and even around the world. Our Tour Manager handles the planning and coordinates transportation, lodging, activities, and performances, and trained Tour Staff accompany each band — safety is our number one priority, and all Tour Staff are professionally background checked. Band tours are part of the Performance and Premier tracks, and for Artists in those bands participation is required. Foundation bands don’t include a band tour, though Foundation Artists may audition for one.

There are several unique aspects to the Soundhouse experience:

1. Most music training programs focus exclusively on music skills. While these skills are central to our program, we also train our members on critical PERFORMANCE skills.

2. Soundhouse members have opportunities to work with top tier artists. In the past this has included members of some of the most popular bands in history and many GRAMMY-winning masters of their craft.

3. Soundhouse band performances are typically held at top-tier venues with professional sound and lighting production for large audiences – an experience most young musicians may never get otherwise.

4. Since 1998, a staggering 100% of Soundhouse graduates who applied for college scholarships received offers.

5. The awards speak for themselves — 141 DownBeat Awards, 64 Utah Best of State medals, 3 Utah BOSS Awards, and over a dozen others. No other youth music organization in the country has won more.

6. Many music programs have the end goal of producing professional musicians. While those in our program certainly are prepared for that path if they choose, our focus is to use excellence in music performance to foster excellence in LIFE performance!

Nominations usually come from a private instructor or school music director, but you don’t need one to get started. Book a tour and our A&R team will meet your musician and nominate them directly if they’re a fit. Membership is still by nomination only — this is simply another way to earn one.

A: Yes. Every rehearsal studio has a camera and audio feed into the lobby, and parents are welcome to watch and listen to any rehearsal there on an iPad, any time. We do ask that parents not sit in the rehearsal room itself, since that is a distraction for the Artists and the Producer alike.

A: Artists are expected at every rehearsal and every event with their band. In the rare case of illness or a true family emergency, the Artist is responsible for finding a capable sub to cover their parts for that rehearsal or show. Every Artist gets a program directory of the other Artists on their instrument, so there is always someone to call.

A: No problem. We work with the Artist and the family to find another option that meets their goals.

A: Yes. The band fee covers all band tour expenses, including any airfare, lodging, activities, and performances. The only thing it does not cover is meals, and those are often included as well.