We're so excited for our spring show season! The season will start in February and performances will take place at the end of May. Check out the full desciptions of our main performance themes as well as the full rehearsal schedule below.
Mondays
Rock 101 (5-6:30 PM)
Rock 101 is our beginner performance program for students 7-12 years old. This is our first day/time option for Rock 101.
Opening Act (6:30-8 PM)
Opening Act is our performance program for beginning teens. Develop your chops alongside other beginners your age while learning classic songs and techniques.
Rock Rookies (6:45-7:45 PM)
Students (7 and 8) in Rock Rookies learn about various rock instruments (guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and vocals), ear training, song structuring, and rhythmic patterns within a group setting. Most kids are still discovering their instrument preference at this stage, and we provide the perfect environment to explore different options. This is our first day/time option for Rock Rookies.
TUESDAYS
Southern Rock (4:30-6:30 PM)
Southern Rock encompasses more than just music generated by bands south of the Mason-Dixon Line. It’s a vibe and emotion that stems from a long painful history of racism, oppression, economic hardship, and classism. However the very spirit of Southern Rock is one of healing and reconciliation.
Rock and Roll has deep roots in the South, and this show will feature the best of Southern Rock through the years – from early artists such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, to bluesy southern rockers like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Bonnie Raitt, to modern practitioners like Gary Clark Jr., Carrie Underwood, and The Black Crowes.
The Southern Rock show will thrust guitar players to the forefront with guitar harmonies and advanced soloing based on the pentatonic scale. Bass players will dig deep into groove playing. Drummers will learn to play through different feels like shuffles, boogies, and half-time and double-time transitions. Keyboardists will be challenged with new styles as they utilize diverse sounds ranging from piano to Hammond organ to Rhodes electric piano. Vocalists will gain an understanding of Southern-style harmony and emotive singing. This show offers many challenges for ambitious and experienced players!
Arena Rock (6:45-8:45 PM)
This will be our 2nd ever School of Rock featured show! Arena Rock refers to the emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll as big business in the 1970s and early 1980s. Advances in music production technology, along with the emergence of FM radio stations, resulted in the arrival of a slicker, more commercial rock sound, popularized by bands such as Journey, Boston, Styx, Heart, Queen, Foreigner, Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Grand Funk Railroad, Toto, Cheap Trick, and more.
These artists, and the growing music industry behind them, brought Rock ‘n’ Roll out of the clubs and into arenas and stadiums. The songs of the Arena Rock show are the true stars.
This is music meant to be turned up loud! Guitarists will find challenging parts lurking in every corner. Keyboard players will explore many soundscapes, ranging from organs to new synthetic pads. Vocalists will be challenged with belting leads and rich harmonies. Drummers will learn the true meaning of bombastic, over-the-top performances. Bass players will get their hands on powerful and melodic bass lines complimenting their 6-string counterparts. This is a great show for all instruments!
Wednesdays
drum core (5:30-6:30 PM)
Drum Core is our new program specially designed for kids ages 8-11 with no prior drumming experience. This foundational program is the perfect starting point for aspiring young drummers and teaches essential skills to help students play drums confidently in a live-band setting, paving the way for a smooth transition into our Rock 101 program and beyond!
The WHo (5-8 PM)
One of the heavyweight bands born from the British Invasion, The Who forged a sound and style that would change Rock & Roll. The Who were one of the first, if not THE first, bands to gain recognition for producing Rock Operas in their music catalogs. Most notably Tommy, which sold millions of units with the hit single “Pinball Wizard,” helped establish The Who as one of the top bands of the era. Tommy has since been re-interpreted into a ballet, a Broadway show, and a symphony production.
The Who are clearly one of the most legendary bands in rock and roll history, composed of four amazing musicians who somehow still exceeded the sum of their parts. Pete Townsend’s unique guitar style and masterful songwriting allowed space for bassist John Entwistle, drummer Keith Moon, and vocalist Roger Daltrey to shine. The Who is a killer show for bass players and drummers to develop serious chops, offers complex parts for guitar players, and has surprisingly complex vocal harmonies.
THursdays
Michael Jackson vs Prince (5-8 PM)
There were no two bigger superstars in the '80s than Michael Jackson and Prince. MJ’s Thriller and Prince’s Purple Rain are two of the most iconic albums of all time, and each cemented the artist’s place as some of the best to ever grace the stage.
In 1982, MJ released one of the greatest albums of all time, Thriller. The album would top the Billboard 200 for a whopping 37 weeks while becoming the first album to secure seven top charting singles. The Record’s music videos also broke down the racial barrier on MTV. MJ followed up “Thriller” with his highly-anticipated album, Bad. The massive success of both albums dubbed Michael Jackson the title the “King of Pop.”
A prodigal multi-instrumentalist, Prince played every instrument on his early albums. In 1982, Prince scored his first hit record, “1999”, which became Prince’s first top-10 album. Prince exploded back onto the scene with the hit film and soundtrack, Purple Rain. The album became Prince’s first number-one album, and held the top spot for 6 consecutive months. Known for the incredible rate in which he wrote music, Prince’s wild, energetic dancing and genre-bending music made a strong case for Prince as the top superstar of the 1980s.
This show will have plenty of opportunities for students to contribute on a variety of instruments in a wide range of styles, and there will surely be challenging moments where students at all levels can learn something new.
saturdays
Rock Rookies (10:30-11:30 AM)
This is 2nd first day/time option for Rock Rookies (ages 7-8).
Rock 101 (10:30 AM-12 PM)
This is our second day/time option for Rock 101 (ages 7-12).
Blondie vs The Pretenders (12:45-3:45 PM)
Two of the most iconic bands to emerge from the punk and new wave scene in the late '70s and early '80s, Blondie and The Pretenders defined the sound of a generation with their unique blend of rock, pop, and edgy attitude.
Blondie, led by the iconic Debbie Harry, brought us unforgettable tracks like "Heart of Glass," "Call Me," and "Rapture," mixing punk, disco, and pop into one irresistible package. Their willingness to experiment with different genres and tight arrangements made them one of the most popular bands of the CBGB’s era.
On the other side, The Pretenders, fronted by Akron, OH native and music writer, Chrissie Hynde, delivered anthems like "Brass in Pocket," "Back on the Chain Gang," and "Middle of the Road." With their signature blend of rock, punk, and a touch of reggae, The Pretenders created songs that are as bold and defiant as Chrissie's unforgettable voice. This is a great show for up-and-coming players, but there are definitely challenges for advanced students here, particularly with some of The Pretenders' tricky song arrangements.
sign ups
The sign up form will be released via email on Wednesday, January 8th at 6 PM. Sign ups are first come, first served, though student placement will be determined by several factors including scheduling, age, experience, group dynamics, and educational value. If you are not currently enrolled and you'd like to get on the email list for sign ups, please reach out to us at highlandheights@schoolofrock.com.