show descriptions and rehearsal schedules

Soul Train
Mondays 4:30-6:30

Soul Train is an electrifying journey through the vibrant worlds of Soul and Funk music, two genres rooted in the African-American musical tradition. This show pays homage to the iconic television series Soul Train, which first aired in 1971 and became a cultural phenomenon. Created by Don Cornelius, Soul Train showcased the best of Soul and Funk music, featuring live performances from legendary artists and dynamic dance routines.

Soul music emerged in the mid-'50s, fusing gospel with secular themes and featuring legendary artists like Etta James, Smokey Robinson, Nina Simone, and Sam Cooke. The '60s solidified its iconic sound, with Motown's catchy hooks and rhythmic feel showcased by the Supremes, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye, while Stax Records brought a richer, brass-heavy approach with artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. & the MG's. These labels shaped the grooves that defined an era, making Soul a powerful expression of love, resilience, and celebration.

The '60s and '70s saw a rhythmic revolution with Funk music, driven by pioneers such as James Brown, whose relentless energy and innovative grooves laid the groundwork, and Sly & The Family Stone, known for their diverse sound and socially conscious lyrics. Funk champions the infectious danceability of music, with artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament/Funkadelic, LaBelle, The Meters, and The Commodores all pushing the genre's boundaries. Drummers and bass players refine their timing, guitarists explore rhythm over melody, and vocalists tackle complex rhythms and demanding stage presence, embodying the very spirit of Funk.

Together, Soul Train celebrates the rich legacies of both genres, offering a dynamic and uplifting experience for all participants, whether they're seasoned performers or newcomers eager to groove.

Post-Grunge Power!
Mondays 6:30-8:30

Are you ready to dive into the raw, gritty, and electrifying sounds of Post-Grunge? This show takes us back to the 2000s, where bands took the rebellious spirit of grunge and mixed it with massive hooks, emotional depth, and arena-ready anthems! Imagine the soaring melodies of Foo Fighters, the intensity of Breaking Benjamin, and the dynamic range of Creed—all wrapped up in one powerhouse performance. Potential bands include Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Audioslave, Bush, Daughtry, Finger Eleven, Godsmack, Hinder, Hoobastank, Incubus, Matchbox Twenty, Puddle of Mudd, Seether, Shinedown, Switchfoot, and more!

This show is all about energy, passion, and storytelling. You’ll get to rip through some of the most iconic riffs, belt out heartfelt lyrics, and bring the audience along for a high-octane ride. From grungy guitars to powerful drums, Post-Grunge is your chance to dig deep and perform songs that truly connect with people.

Whether you’re leading the charge as a vocalist, laying down thick bass grooves, or hammering out tight drum patterns, this is YOUR show to shine. Ready to bring Post-Grunge back to life? Let’s crank the amps and show the world what real rock energy feels like!

The Beatles
Tuesdays 4:30-6:30

John! Paul! George! Ringo! Arguably the most musically diverse and iconic band of the 1960s British Invasion, The Beatles set the standard for which bands still strive in today’s music. The Beatles are one of the few bands to literally create their own mythos - the lads from Liverpool are as enigmatic intellectually as they are musically. This show doesn’t merely center around the most well-known band of all time, it also happens to employ the most diverse musical range and skill-level window of any artist show. There are raucous three chord garage rock bangers of the early Beatles era, and late sixties era proto-prog technical masterpieces. Drummers will learn the true artistry that is Ringo’s style; bassists will be blown away by Paul’s melodic yet rhythmic bass lines; guitarists will know the sophistication and complimentary guitar skills of John and George which are interwoven in every selection; and vocalists will understand the brilliance of their harmonies. With great material for all instruments, The Beatles show is a can’t miss opportunity for any SoR student!

HYPE! - The Rise of Grunge
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00

Get ready to rock out with one of the most influential music movements of all time – GRUNGE! This high-energy show dives deep into the legendary Seattle sound that took the world by storm in the early ’90s and continues to inspire musicians today.

The title "HYPE!" is inspired by the acclaimed documentary of the same name, which explored the grunge phenomenon and its cultural impact. The film captured the excitement and raw energy of the grunge scene, showcasing how bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains reshaped the music landscape and gave voice to a generation.

In this show, you’ll channel the gritty guitars and rebellious spirit of these iconic bands, rocking out to anthems like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Black,” and “Man in the Box.” This isn’t just a history lesson – it’s a chance to live the grunge experience on stage.

Whether you’re shredding on guitar, laying down a heavy bassline, or delivering vocals with passion and attitude, this show is all about capturing the essence of a genre that wasn’t afraid to break the rules. Expect to go all out in rehearsals, push your musical boundaries, and put on a performance that’s loud, raw, and unforgettable.

So, grab your flannel, crank up the amps, and get ready to unleash your inner rockstar – we’re about to bring the Seattle sound back to life!

Art Rock
Thursdays 6:00-8:00

This is one of the most challenging School of Rock shows. The term “Art Rock” can often be interchangeable or associated with “Prog Rock,” “Symphonic Rock,” “Progressive Rock,” or “Classical Rock.” In the mid 60s, artists began to use the term “progressive” to describe how their music progressed beyond the standard Pop music formulas that the music industry called for at the time. By abandoning typical Pop traditions and incorporating new instrumentation and compositional techniques, the “Prog” genre, albeit broad, became more defined by the late 60s. Artists began producing longer albums that featured extended solos, higher instrumental skill, fantasy-like lyrical content, and unique instrumentation. King Crimson’s 1969 album In The Court of The Crimson King arguably defined the genre as it tied many of the elements associated with the growing definition of “Prog” into a cohesive vision. The Prog genre truly established itself by the mid 70s with Prog-pioneers such as King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Genesis, and Jethro Tull. Groups like Pink Floyd and Yes contributed to this growing movement with albums such as Dark Side of the Moon and Close to the Edge. Many variations of progressive styles of music have emerged since the end of the classic era, as '80s groups like Queensryche, Dream Theater, and Kings’ X later influenced the heavy prog scene popularized by bands such as Opeth, TOOL, The Mars Volta and Coheed and Cambria. This show is geared towards more experienced students, but will propel beginner and intermediate players’ ability to higher standards.

about the performance program

The Performance Program at School of Rock Lafayette is our hallmark music program for ages 8-18. It 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, refining 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, School of Rock Lafayette Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Lafayette music venues in front of a live audience.

interested in joining? to get started, sign up for a free trial. one of our talented instructors will meet with you to see if you're ready for rehearsals. if you're not there yet, we'll design a lesson plan specific to your individual needs.