At School of Rock Huntington, we don't teach music to put on shows - we put on shows to teach music. Students are assigned songs selected to develop them as musicians, and work on them in private lessons with their instructors, as well as in weekly rehearsals with groups made up of their peers. The season culminates with a performance at our seasonal showcase, where they can show you everything they've been working on throughout the season!
See the end of this article for important dates, and ways to sign up for the new season!
ROCK 101: the beatles vs. rolling stones
AGES 7-10 | rehearses thursdays, 5p-6:30p
Witness the ultimate rock 'n' roll showdown as The Beatles take on The Rolling Stones! Experience the musical genius of The Beatles, from their early raucous three-chord rockers to their late sixties era technical masterpieces. Drummers will master Ringo’s artistry, bassists will be inspired by Paul’s melodic bass lines, guitarists will explore John and George’s sophisticated skills, and vocalists will appreciate their brilliant harmonies.
On the other side, The Rolling Stones, dubbed 'The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World', have rocked for nearly 60 years, incorporating Rock, Country, Blues, Punk, and Disco into their sound. Guitarists will learn from Keith Richards' rhythmic prowess, drummers will explore percussion like bongos and congas, and vocalists will study Mick Jagger’s iconic stage moves. Keys players will dive into the styles of legendary musicians like Ian Stewart and Nicky Hopkins.
Join us for an epic musical journey that pits The Beatles' artistry against The Rolling Stones' raw rock 'n' roll spirit. This show is a must for musicians of all instruments and skill levels!
ROCK 102: CBGB
AGES 10-13 | REHEARSES THURSDAYS, 6:30P-8:30P
The CBGB show is an overview of the early New Wave bands who got their break at the legendary NYC club. When CBGB opened in 1973, no one had any idea that a Bowery dive bar would become known as the birthplace of Punk. The official name was CBGB & OMFUG: Country, Bluegrass, Blues & and Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers. While the Ramones generally get credit for starting the Punk scene, Television was actually the first band in this scene to play at CBGBs, on March 31, 1974. Soon artists like Blondie, Talking Heads, and Patti Smith set up residence at CBGBs, along with British bands like The Police and Elvis Costello who made CBGB their stateside hangout. As the Punk scene grew and took hold, other bands such as Cleveland transplants the Dead Boys and New Jersey’s Misfits became CBGB mainstays. The CBGB show offers a diverse and highly educational mix of ridiculously cool artists that can challenge students on any instrument at all experience levels.
rock 103: protest this!
ages 13-hs senior | rehearses mondays, 5:15p-7:15p
Rock and roll has long been an instrument of social change, and Protest This! shines a spotlight on the greatest politically-driven rock songs of all time. This electrifying show will feature a diverse mix of styles and eras, from Bob Dylan's civil rights anthems to Bob Marley's calls for unity, and from The Clash's punk rebellion to System of a Down's hard-hitting critiques. Each song shares a common bond: the artists' relentless desire to have their message heard.
Join us for an unforgettable musical journey that not only rocks but also resonates with the heart and soul of social activism. Protest This! is a must-see for any musician looking to understand and participate in the legacy of music as a force for good. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this powerful celebration of rock’s enduring impact on society!
ROCK 103: BLACK SABBATH
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES WEDNESDAYS, 5:15P-7:15P
While the phrase “Heavy Metal” had been thrown about during the '60s, it took the arrival of Black Sabbath to fully realize the genre. Considered the pioneers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath are rock and roll legends. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward created some of the heaviest music of the 1960s and '70s, and have influenced practically every metal band who have emerged in their wake, including Metallica, Slayer, System of a Down, Slipknot, and Soundgarden. After 50+ years, despite lineup changes (Ronnie James Dio as vocalist being the most notable), band names (including both the Polka Tuck Blues Band and Earth), and inter-band personality conflicts, Black Sabbath have still emerged as the first and most influential heavy metal band in rock history. Major musical concepts employed by Black Sabbath that the students will learn include alternate tunings, changes in tempo and feel, and improvisation. This show is sure to be incredibly fun for your student rocker, and will aid in their development to the next musical level.
grad school: blues legends
ages 18+ | rehearses mondays, 7:30p-9:30p at school of rock syosset/oyster bay
Led Zeppelin has been synonymous with being the innovators of the Hard Rock genre. Formed originally as a new version of the British Invasion group The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin quickly took shape to become the most popular rock band in the world, filling arenas and selling millions of albums. The mastermind behind it all was Jimmy Page. As a studio musician, producer, and songwriter, Page recruited Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass), and John Bonham (drums), and began a decade-long journey of prolific songwriting. Songs like “Stairway to Heaven”, “Black Dog”, “Good Times Bad Times”, and “The Ocean” have become rock standards and rights of passage for aspiring musicians. Led Zeppelin’s blend of Hard Rock, Blues, and Folk has remained the primary inspiration for many of today’s rock bands. Any student participating in this show is sure to gain a wealth of musical knowledge and advancement. The Led Zeppelin show has challenges for every skill level - it will turn beginners into intermediates and will transform intermediate players into advanced rockers!
GRAD SCHOOL: THE BEATLES VS. ROLLING STONES
AGES 18+ | REHEARSES WEDNESDAYS, 7:15P-9:15P AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY
Witness the ultimate rock 'n' roll showdown as The Beatles take on The Rolling Stones! Experience the musical genius of The Beatles, from their early raucous three-chord rockers to their late sixties era technical masterpieces. Drummers will master Ringo’s artistry, bassists will be inspired by Paul’s melodic bass lines, guitarists will explore John and George’s sophisticated skills, and vocalists will appreciate their brilliant harmonies.
On the other side, The Rolling Stones, dubbed 'The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World', have rocked for nearly 60 years, incorporating Rock, Country, Blues, Punk, and Disco into their sound. Guitarists will learn from Keith Richards' rhythmic prowess, drummers will explore percussion like bongos and congas, and vocalists will study Mick Jagger’s iconic stage moves. Keys players will dive into the styles of legendary musicians like Ian Stewart and Nicky Hopkins.
Join us for an epic musical journey that pits The Beatles' artistry against The Rolling Stones' raw rock 'n' roll spirit. This show is a must for musicians of all instruments and skill levels!
how to register for the fall season
- CURRENT SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES
- ROCK 101/102: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey available on the Parent Portal.
- ROCK 103/GRAD SCHOOL: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey available on the Parent Portal, then discuss your options with your instructor between Monday, July 29 and Sunday, August 11th.
- SOON-TO-BE SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES
- Call us at 516-234-7625, email us at huntington@schoolofrock.com, or fill out the form below to get started!
A NOTE ABOUT SONG CASTING
We strive for well-balanced shows where all of our students are challenged and get equal opportunity for parts. Please understand that factors such as attendance at rehearsals, behavior at rehearsals, and musical preparation for rehearsals can affect the number of songs a student is assigned. The School of Rock method is merit based. While a show’s first casting is as equitable as possible, in subsequent castings we reward commitment, hard work, and steady improvement.
We know many students have talents beyond the instruments they study at School of Rock. We do our best to encourage (and show off) all of our students’ abilities! However, students who take lessons on an instrument at School of Rock get priority casting on that instrument in shows. Students are guaranteed to be assigned parts only on instruments they are actively taking lessons on at SoR. Depending on the makeup of the show’s cast, we may not be able to accommodate students who wish to perform on an instrument (including vocals) that they do not study at SoR. If your student is interested in studying an additional instrument, please reach out to us to discuss options.