ROCK 101

AGES 7-10 | REHEARSALS: MONDAY, TUESDAY OR FRIDAY 4:15 | SATURDAY 12:45

Rock 101 is an amazing starting point for our young beginners. Our students learn to rock with one-on-one instruction combined with learning scaled back versions of songs from our setlist library in a supportive and fun group setting. Students build a solid foundation of skills in preparation for graduating to the Performance Program. Rock 101 students perform periodic live showcases at School of Rock. Graduating students are the opening act for the Performance Program at our end of season shows.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: PUNK

Ages 10-17 | rehearsals: mondays 6:00-8:00

Punk Rock rose to popularity as a rebellious response to the overcomplicated, pretentious direction that Prog Rock had taken in the 1970s, and as a voice for the anti-establishment movement following the post-Vietnam era. Marked by short, energetic songs with little ornamentation, Punk Rock is more about spirit and feeling than musical technique. This show covers the classic period of the genre, including bands like Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash, Blondie, The Stooges, and Patti Smith. Students might hear striking similarities of styles to current Pop Punk bands like Green Day and My Chemical Romance, as the legacy of the original generation of Punk bands continues to inspire artists today. While Punk is a great show for less experienced rockers, it still challenges more advanced students and teaches them the art of showmanship and stage presence. Don your spikes, mohawk, and ripped jeans and get ready for a season of Punk Rock!

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: Glam Rock

Ages 10-17 | rehearsals: TUESdays 6:00-8:00

Glam Rock was a reaction against the earnest blues guitar rock that had dominated the airwaves in the late 1960s. Platform boots, glitter, heavy makeup, jumpsuits and androgynous costumes all combined with larger than life stage personas in the 1970s to create the artfully arranged image of all that was  “glam”.  Some of the most notable artists of this super-style are British artists such as David Bowie, T. Rex, Elton John, Mott the Hoople, Slade, and Roxy Music, as well as American acts like New York Dolls, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Suzi Quatro. Though Glam Rock may have had a limited run, its influence has also been seen in other eras and genres, perhaps most notably in 1980s Sunset Strip “hair metal”, which has traceable roots in the glitter, trash, and guitars of glam. Modern artists who borrow elements of Glam Rock include The Darkness and Scissor Sisters. The Glam Rock show is filled with challenging vocal and keyboard parts, and also features some deceptively difficult parts for lead guitar and great grooves for rhythm sections.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: THE WHO VS LED ZEPPELIN

AGES 10-17 | REHEARSALS: THURSDAYS 6:00-8:00

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.

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 Townshend’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. 

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM: FUNK

AGES 10-17 | REHEARSALS: FRIDAYS 6:00-8:00

The Funk show celebrates the explosion of infectious, danceable music that grew out of R&B in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists such as James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone prioritized rhythm and groove in their arrangements, inspiring a musical movement that came to define the 1970s and influence much of what came after. Earth Wind & Fire, Parliament / Funkadelic, LaBelle, the Meters, Aretha Franklin, Prince, and The Commodores are just a few of the many great artists who found success in the Funk genre, and their legacy is still heard today in modern popular music by the likes of Bruno Mars, Vulfpeck, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Drummers, bass players, and keys players are sure to refine their sense of time and groove while participating in the Funk Show. Guitar players will realize the guitar is not always a lead instrument, but a dynamic rhythm instrument as well. Vocalists will be put to the test with the genre’s challenging rhythms and demanding stage presence. Funk is an educational - and incredibly FUN - show choice for all experience levels!

ADULT PROGRAM: WOODSTOCK

AGES 18+ | REHEARSALS: MONDAYS 8:00-10:00

In 1969, almost half a million people made a pilgrimage to Yasgur’s Farm in upstate New York for three days of peace and music. Catapulting many iconic artists who played this landmark music festival into superstar status, Woodstock embodies the spirit of the 60s. It was a watershed moment for Rock and Roll, and this show celebrates the legendary, and very stylistically diverse, artists who promoted unity and embraced freedom of expression while performing at the festival. Songs by The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Grateful Dead and more make this show an exciting and well-balanced educational challenge for all instruments and experience levels!

ADULT PROGRAM: BEST OF THE '80s

AGES 18+ | REHEARSALS: WEDNESDAYS 8:00-10:00

In the Best of the '80s show, School of Rock will travel back in time to an era of fluorescent clothes, poofy hair, and the best synth-driven pop anthems you will ever hear. On August 1, 1981, music fans were catapulted into the '80s music era by the debut of a cultural phenomenon: MTV. This new music format - the music video - gave old and new artists alike the chance to reach unimaginable numbers of diverse audiences and sell millions of records and cassette tapes. The '80s would not have had its soundtrack without Michael Jackson. Jackson began the '80s on a sonic high that carried over from 1979’s “Off the Wall”, but he struck gold with the worldwide phenomenon that was Thriller. Also making a huge impact on the '80s were super-star Pop acts like Madonna, Prince, and all-girl band The Go- Gos. Gender became less binary and static in the '80s with wildly popular artists like Boy George of Culture Club, Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics, Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders and every hair metal act challenging perceptions of what is acceptable attire or behavior for “male” and “female.” Although pop acts reigned supreme in the '80s, rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Journey, and Bon Jovi reaped the benefits from the ‘decade of excess’. The Best of the '80s show will feature a diverse mix of styles and artists, and is a challenging and fun experience for students of any instrument or experience level.