The Performance Program is School of Rock's hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. Utilizing the patented School of Rock Method, Performance Program consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience, and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, and refine the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, Performance Program students take the stage and play at local music venues in front of a live audience.
BEST OF THE '90s
Mondays 7:00-9:00pm
The ‘90s Rock show is arguably one of the most popular School of Rock shows in our collection. Packed with a plethora of what are now known as ‘classic rock’ songs, the stylistic spectrum of this show is wide enough to excite any student rocker! Hard Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Alternative and Indie encompass this decade of music that many parents grew up on! While some connect the era of ‘90s Rock to the Seattle-area Grunge scene with bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, this show expands to also feature acts like Weezer, Hole, Oasis, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day. The ‘90s Rock show will stretch any students’ musical progress while delighting and creating nostalgia for their parents!
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FOLK ROCK
Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm
Folk Rock is a wide umbrella that encompasses protest songs of the 1960s, laid-back tunes of the 1970s, confessional ballads of the 1980s and '90s, melodic “indie-folk” anthems of the 2000s, and much more. The hallmarks of the Folk Rock sound are intricate guitar playing, evocative lyrics, vocal harmonies, and nods to early 20th-century music forms including Gospel, Appalachian Folk, Country, Blues, and Bluegrass. Folk music influences were an integral part of the evolving Rock scene of the 1960s, with Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Mamas and The Papas all finding success. These acts pushed the genre in different directions, amping up the roots of Rock and Roll by adding drums and electric instruments. . The 1970s were rich with new forms of the Folk sound from familiar faces like Neil Young and Paul Simon, as well as commercial newcomers like the British multi-instrumentalist Cat Stevens. Folk Rock influences continue to be found in more contemporary artists, such as Tom Petty, Tracy Chapman, Indigo Girls, The Jayhawks, Beck, and Brandi Carlile. Many of the greatest songwriters of all time - including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Huddie Ledbetter, and Paul Simon - are represented in this show, which is filled with classic songs and popular hits that will educate students of all experience levels.
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HARD ROCK RADIO
Wednesdays 5:00-7:00pm
Rock music has always spanned a wide range of sounds and genres. From the hard hitting riffs of System Of A Down, to the beautiful melodies of Evanescence, to the iconic innovations of Linkin Park, the early 2000s marked a new wave of the genres heard on the radio, with the sound of radio’s greatest hits moving into harder hitting territory. The experimentation of that sound would continue into the 2010s, with the emergence of Octane radio playing more modern bands like Bad Omens and Spiritbox. This show is a celebration of the nostalgia of Hard Rock Radio emerging in the post-grunge movement, to its current iterations in the streaming era. The variety of styles in this show leaves room for players of any skill level, and will leave the whole crowd dancing and singing along at the top of their lungs.
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THE BIG 5
Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm
The early 80s saw the rise of the most extreme music heard up until that point, consisting of fast, aggressive, dark sounding guitar riffs, drums incorporating the use of double kick, and gritty vocals. The rise of the Thrash Metal movement was helmed by Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, who would come to be known as the Big Four. However, another band stood out among the rest, consistently playing alongside the Big Four and influencing just as many artists who would follow the movement: Testament, who are widely considered to be an honorable fifth member of the iconic lineup. This show is a tribute to the titans of Thrash Metal history, and features a variety of challenges on every instrument.
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ROCK 101
Tuesdays 5:00-6:30pm
Everyone starts somewhere! From the easy chords and straightforward drum grooves of garage rock and radio dance music, the sloppy and raw riffs of punk, and the simple but powerful sound of grunge, Rock101 is the best place for newer players to join the band and learn the basics. A genre-spanning mix of songs meant to be easy and to-the-point, this show focuses on fundamentals and learning to use them in a group environment, with plenty of parts for every instrument.
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BRITISH INVASION Adult Program
Thursdays 7:30-9:00pm
The mid-1960s cultural phenomenon known as “The British Invasion” refers to the sudden and ubiquitous popularity of British rock and roll among the American youth of the time. The catalog of music created by these artists - including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks among others - propelled Rock & Roll music to the mainstream of cultural relevance where it remains to this day. The British Invasion bands took inspiration from Blues, Folk, and early Rock & Roll and combined these influences in an exciting way that can teach both our students and audiences the foundation of modern pop and rock music. British Invasion is a prime show choice for all instruments and experience levels to learn the foundations of Rock music, and especially perfect for emerging players who are looking to take the next step in widening their musical repertoire. Some notable song selections may include The Beatles’ “Twist And Shout”, The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, and The Yardbirds’ “For Your Love”.
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MATH ROCK Adult Program
Thursdays 7:30-9:00pm
Math rock is a genre of music that blends intricate, unconventional rhythms with complex song structures, drawing influence from progressive rock, post-rock, and experimental rock. Emerging in the early 1990s with bands like Shellac, Don Caballero, and Slint, the genre gained its identity through the use of odd time signatures, polymeters, and intricate guitar techniques, marking a departure from traditional rock structures. Today, bands like Covet, Chon, and Polyphia carry the genre into new territory. While the genre has remained niche, it has continued to influence a wide variety of contemporary musicians, from indie rock to metal to experimental electronic music. It remains a symbol of musical experimentation, a genre for those interested in challenging traditional forms and pushing the boundaries of rhythm and song structure.
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