Here at School of Rock, It is our mission for students to gain musical proficiency through performance-based music education, therefore our primary programs pair group band rehearsals with one-on-one lessons to prepare students of all ages and skill levels to play live with a full band. This fall we are offering a great selection of programs that are guaranteed to prepare students with the skills and concepts necessary for live performance.
Rock 101 vs Performance Program
If you are a current student with us, we'll let you know when you're ready to graduate to our Performance Program. If you have questions as to when you can graduate, email us and we'll update you on our progress!
If you are a new student with us, Rock 101 is designed for beginner students 8-12 years old. We'll teach you how to be in a band while you get a handle on the fundamentals of your instrument.
How to Register
Send us an email, we'll guide you on which program to sign up for and the schedule!
Rock 101 Rehearsal Schedule
Check out this seasons pERformance programs:
Performance Program Rehearsal Schedule
Best of the 2010s
Mondays 6:00-8:00pm
School of Rock pays tribute to the past decade of Rock and Roll! The 2010s proved that rock and roll is alive and well, with diverse artists such as Adele, Imagine Dragons, Tame Impala, H.E.R., and St. Vincent all rising to prominence in the music world. These current artists combine modern production techniques with retro-sounding riffs and song structures, resulting in today's chart topping hits. While the music itself has generally evolved somewhat from decades past - less guitar solos, more keyboards, and more influence from Hip Hop and R&B - the spirit of Rock and Roll remains as vital as ever. This show will be a stylistically diverse recap of the best music from the decade, featuring modern takes on Punk (Green Day, My Chemical Romance), Blues (Gary Clark Jr., Black Keys), Pop (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry), Rock and Roll (Greta Van Fleet, The Dead Weather), and more! A great show for students of any instrument and experience level.
Nirvana
Tuesdays 6:00-8:00pm
Nirvana was formed in Aberdeen Washington in 1987 by friends Kurt Cobain (vocals and guitar) and Krist Novoselic (bass). After a succession of drummers including the Melvins’ Dale Crover, Chad Channing joined and they released their first 7” single “Love Buzz” on the fledgling label Sub Pop in 1988. Combining elements of Punk, Metal, and Pop, Nirvana channeled teen angst into Rock’s last sweeping mainstream movement. In 1989 the band recorded their first full-length record “Bleach”, which was a hit on college radio. As their tour to support their LP progressed, Cobain and Novoselic became frustrated with Channing’s drumming, and Channing left the group. Buzz Osborne of Mudhoney introduced the band to Dave Grohl, providing the missing piece of the puzzle. Nirvana went on to record what is known as the pinnacle of the Grunge movement, Nevermind. With tracks like “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”, and “In Bloom”, Nirvana skyrocketed into mainstream success, crowning them the kings of Grunge. While the band’s career was cut short by Cobain’s untimely death in 1994, Nirvana have remained prominent music legends due to their innovative sound and their influence on countless bands who came after them. Beginner and intermediate guitar players will learn power chords and melodic lead guitar in this show, while any drum student will be challenged by David Grohl’s powerful, technical drumming. The Nirvana show is a solid show for all levels of playing and is packed with crowd-pleasing '90s anthems.
KISS
Wednesdays 5:00-7:00pm
KISS rose to prominence in the 1970s with a string of hard rock hits and live shows that generated a thrilling visual experience, becoming one of the biggest-selling bands in rock history. While the blood spitting, fire breathing, and extreme marketing sometimes overshadowed the music, behind the face paint KISS were four talented musicians with a gift for writing great, catchy rock and roll songs. Many rock bands of today cite KISS as a main influence and inspiration to pursue the life of a touring musician. Beyond the visual spectacle, KISS is a band with a surprisingly diverse catalog that requires some serious musicianship. For guitarists, the KISS show will incorporate several approaches to rock soloing, as KISS had 5 different lead guitarists throughout their career. Gene Simmons’ bass playing will certainly challenge students' ability to play melodic riffs and simultaneously maintain groove. Drum students will love the many rocking drum breaks and big fills within KISS’ 50-year catalog of material. This is a show the whole family will have fun singing along to, featuring hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite”, “Beth”, and “Shout It Out Loud”.
Rolling Stones
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm
Dubbed `The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World’, The Rolling Stones have remained relevant and rocking for nearly 60 years. Though their songs are rooted in the Blues that inspired them to pursue music, throughout their legendary career they have incorporated everything into their sound from Rock to Country to Blues to Punk to Disco. For an education in pocket, groove, stage presence, and tasteful lead playing, there are few equals to a Stones show. Keith Richards' guitar wizardry will serve as a masterclass for guitarists looking to expand their rhythmic prowess. Drummers will not only be tested on their ability to play for the song, but they will also have opportunities to explore percussion usage like bongos, congas, and shakers. Studying Mick Jagger’s stage moves and the creative vocal arrangements within the Rolling Stones catalog is an excellent learning experience for vocal students of all ages and skill levels. Keys players will enjoy learning from Ian Stewart, Jack Nitzsche, Nicky Hopkins, Billy Preston, and Ian McLagan - all legendary players who recorded and performed with the Stones. From standing tall on the front lines of the British Invasion to selling out stadiums in more recent times, The Rolling Stones are truly one of the most impactful and important Rock n’ Roll bands of all time, and they will continue to inspire future generations for years to come.
Classic R&B
Fridays 4:00-6:00pm
Rhythm and Blues music was foundational to the evolution of rock and roll! Originating with jazz and blues in the 1940s, R&B music was predominantly created by black musicians for black audiences until the 1950s, when artists such as Etta James, Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Ike & Tina Turner began to achieve crossover success with white audiences as well. By the early 1960s, record labels like Motown and Stax were churning out legendary hits by Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, The Supremes, and Otis Redding, which influenced virtually all of the Rock and Roll and Pop music that came after. The Classic R&B show features groove-oriented music with dynamic arrangements and standout vocal performances. Students participating in this show will have an opportunity to hone their rhythmic skills and broaden their repertoire of music styles by focusing on the music that inspired artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, and which continues to be relevant today with its influence on modern Pop stars such as Adele and John Legend. Classic R&B is one of the most educational shows that School of Rock offers! This is our first featured show so keep a look out for some cool merch, song contests, and more!
Funk
Fridays 6:00-8:00pm
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!
Hometown Heroes
Saturdays 12:30-2:30pm
All bands and musicians start out performing locally. In this show, explore musicians who got their start in Massachusetts, but made a big impact on the music industry. Students will experience a variety of styles while learning more about the history of Boston based bands. Hometown Heroes expands across styles of music from a variety of bands that started around us. This show theme will allow our students to tap into the music of Aerosmith, Boston, New Kids On The Block, Extreme, The Cars, The Lemonheads, Pixies, Killswitch Engage, and more. While performing their biggest hits or the under appreciated, students will learn styles such as Blues-Based Hard Rock, Funk, Glam Rock, Metal, New Wave, Pop Rock, Punk, Hardcore, and elements of Arena and Progressive Rock. This choice is great for all experience levels!
A Note About Show Casting
We strive for well-balanced shows where all of our students are challenged and get equal opportunity for parts. Please understand that factors such as attendance at rehearsals, behavior at rehearsals, and musical preparation for rehearsals can affect the number of songs a student is assigned. The School of Rock method is merit based. While a show’s first casting is as equitable as possible, in subsequent castings we reward commitment, hard work, and steady improvement.
We know many students have talents beyond the instruments they study at School of Rock. We do our best to encourage (and show off) all of our students’ abilities! However, students who take lessons on an instrument at School of Rock get priority casting on that instrument in shows. Students are guaranteed to be assigned parts only on instruments they are actively taking lessons on at SoR. Depending on the makeup of the show’s cast, we may not be able to accommodate students who wish to perform on an instrument (including vocals) that they do not study at SoR. If your student is interested in studying an additional instrument, please reach out to us to discuss options.