In August 2013, Mitrovica Rock School kicked off its new Ambassador Band Program with a seven-day competition in Skopje, North Macedonia. During the Ambassador Band Camp in Skopje, four bands consisting of top Rock School students from north and south Mitrovica came together for a week of rehearsing, recording and performing.

Ambassador Band Camp – August, Skopje (Macedonia)

Three newly formed bands, the Toe May Toes, Sublime 6 and Schism, and proto-ambassador band The Artchitects prepared by writing new songs that were finalized and recorded in Skopje. The week’s final event was a concert in the city park, where a jury selected by Fontys Rockacademie announced the two winning bands. The winners went on to record at the Rockacademie in October.

Recording at Fontys Rockacademie – October, Tilburg (Netherlands)

From October 11 to 18, Schism and the Toe May Toes performed in and around Tilburg. They continued the songwriting process, recording two new tracks in the studio of the Fontys Rockacademie. The bands played gigs and jam sessions in Tilburg and Breda, and the Toe May Toes performed live on radio show Cappuccino (scroll to 27:13 minutes).

Winter School – November, Skopje (Macedonia)

In November, Sublime 6 and the Artchitects return to Skopje to work towards a concert at capital’s hottest concert club, Havana. Rock School students and fellow musicians from both sides of Mitrovica are invited to join the fun, with a second bus travelling to Skopje just for the concert.

Spring Tour – Spring, Berlin (Germany)

In the spring of 2014, Schism, the Toe May Toes and the Artchitects will travel to Berlin for a week-long tour of this once-divided European city of culture. Besides performing, they will connect to fellow musicians and form partnerships with other pop/rock schools and youth organizations to broaden horizons and promote exchanges.

All ambassador bands will continue to receive support from the Mitrovica Rock School, particularly in terms of booking and recording.

The Mitrovica Rock School and its Ambassador Band Program are supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Pristina, Robert Bosch Stiftung, the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Swiss Cooperation Office, Caritas Luxembourg and Austrian Development Cooperation.