School of Rock is providing support to Independent Venue Week, taking place Oct. 24-30. The annual event recognizes and celebrates all that independent venues have done for the live music scene. This year, with COVID-19 considerations, more than 100 independent venues from around the U.S. will provide online programming or participate in other ways throughout the week. Additionally, a memorabilia auction will take place to raise funds for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Emergency Relief Fund, allowing fans the chance to own a piece of music history while providing much-needed assistance to independent venues and promoters. School of Rock will be donating to the fund as well as inviting its students to attend the programming. "Independent venues are the stages where many musicians got their start, and as we take students through the journey of becoming musicians, these venues are paramount to the success of our performance-based education model," said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. "Our students play over 4,000 shows a year in independent venues across the world and with all the challenges COVID-19 has presented this year, it's more important than ever to support them for the vitality and longevity of the music community." For more information on Independent Venue Week, visit www.independentvenueweek.com

The week spotlights independently-owned music venues, the backbone of the live music scene

Our top priority is the safety of our employees, students and families. We continue to follow or exceed all city and state ordinances, including this latest 6-month duration treatment (EnviroPro Endure) from JanPro! This ensures as much as possible that our in-school lessons and classes remain safe. Call us if you'd like to hear more about our other everyday risk mitigation measures.

Our class schedule for July 2020. Call us at (312) 526-3978 or email us at chicagowest@schoolofrock.com for more information! Mondays Rookies @ 5:30-6:30 pm Green Day Rehearsal @ 5-7:30 pm Tuesdays Rookies @ 5-6 pm Rock 101 @ 5-6:30 pm Wednesdays Adult Band Rehearsal @ 7:30-9 pm Thursdays Songs of Summer Rehearsal @ 5-7:30 pm Fridays Camp Show @ 2:30 pm Live-streamed via our Facebook page (facebook.com/sorchicagowest) Saturdays Rookies @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Rock 101 @ 1:30-3 pm

School of Rock Chicago West has re-opened! We are currently operating Rookies, Rock 101, Performance and Adult programs in school (or remotely for those who prefer). We are meeting or exceeding all state and city safety guidelines while we keep our staff screened and well-trained in cleaning and distancing measures. Read more about our summer schedule and our enrollment specials at our Facebook page or call us at 312-344-5685 to schedule a free evaluation lesson and school tour - or sign up on this site's home page.

School of Rock's award-winning instructors are now available for private lessons in guitar, bass, ukulele, keys, vocals and drums. This is an example of how easy it is to launch our newest platform School of Rock Remote. Keeping our community engaged during this difficult time is our highest priority. Contact us today at chicagowest@schoolofrock.com or 312-526-3978 to schedule your online lesson!

Our senior keyboards and vocals instructor, Maxx McGathey, is interviewed by The Reader for his band's upcoming appearance at The Music Box Theatre. Maxx's compositions for silent horror films are really catching on.

2019 was our first full-throttle House Band summer. With Anthony's leadership and Ashleigh's logistics we were booked for over 15 events all around Chicagoland and our kids attacked every one like a group of pros. Our House Band members, ages 17-12, have developed into a real collective force on stage and we were proud to watch their development accelerate as the summer went on. Shows included Go Division's main stage, West Fest's main stage, Wicker Park main stage, Lobster Fest at Navy Pier, a pre-Opening event for SoR Park Ridge, House of Blues' I Am Fest (main ballroom), the Woodstock Anniversary Tribute in Aurora, IL, along with several others. Thank you to all our parents who got their kids where they needed to be and supported them from the crowd. Thanks also to all our amazing staff and faculty who helped prepare and train these amazing young performers. Even bigger and better to come!

A big thank you to all the parents, grandparents and siblings who made this concert possible. And thank you to the directors and assistant directors who gave so much of themselves to help these kids learn their parts and embrace the moment. Thanks to Beat Kitchen for providing another perfect setting for showcasing these emerging musicians. Thanks to Ashleigh and Zachary for watching the big picture so we could all watch rock and roll history. :) Wish you were here...

School of Rock launches the Center Stage Search in partnership with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group to find new talent.