AT SCHOOL OF ROCK NORWOOD, WE DON'T TEACH MUSIC TO PUT ON SHOWS - WE PUT ON SHOWS TO TEACH MUSIC. STUDENTS ARE ASSIGNED SONGS SELECTED TO DEVELOP THEM AS MUSICIANS, AND WORK ON THEM IN PRIVATE LESSONS WITH THEIR INSTRUCTORS, AS WELL AS IN WEEKLY REHEARSALS WITH GROUPS MADE UP OF THEIR PEERS. THE SEASON CULMINATES WITH A PERFORMANCE AT OUR SEASONAL SHOWCASE, WHERE THEY CAN SHOW YOU EVERYTHING THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THROUGHOUT THE SEASON!
ROOKIES PROGRAM
AGES 4-7 | TUESDAYS 4:15-5:15PM | THURSDAYS 5:00-6:00PM | SATURDAYS 12:15-1:15PM |
https://www.schoolofrock.com/music-programs/rookies
ROCK 101
AGES 8-13 | TUESDAYS 5:15-6:45PM | THURSDAYS 5:00-6:30PM |
https://www.schoolofrock.com/music-programs/rock-101
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
AGES 12-18
Megadeth vs metallica
WEDNESDAYS 5:00-7:30
Megadeth and Metallica are two of the most influential thrash metal bands of all time, often compared due to their shared origins and overlapping members.Metallica was formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield. They are known for their fast tempos, complex song structures, and a more refined, heavy sound. With albums like Master of Puppets(1986) and The Black Album (1991), Metallica became one of the biggest rock bands in the world, successfully blending thrash metal with more mainstream rock elements. Megadeth was founded in 1983 by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine after his dismissal from the band. Mustaine’s songwriting is often more technically intricate and aggressive than Metallica's, with a focus on speed and political themes. Albums like Rust in Peace (1990) and Countdown to Extinction (1992) are considered classics of the genre. While both bands emerged from the same scene and shared influences, Metallica’s music tends to be more melodic and accessible, while Megadeth is often noted for its technical proficiency, complex arrangements, and faster tempos. The rivalry between the two, largely fueled by Mustaine’s departure from Metallica, has become a defining aspect of their history.
NEW WAVE
SATURDAYS 11:00A-1:30P
The New Wave genre incorporates a variety of different sounds and styles that were prevalent at the end of the 1970s and expanded until the end of the 1980s. New Wave began as an extension of Punk Rock, which changed the music scene starting in 1976 in the US and the UK. American power-pop groups like The Cars and The Knack were New Wave, while the Disco-inspired hits of Blondie, and the Reggae-influenced rock of the Police fell under the same umbrella. Gloomy goth rockers like The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees and dance-oriented synth pop artists like Gary Numan and Eurythmics are all considered New Wave bands as well. One unifying factor shared by most, but not all, of the New Wave artists was an increasing use of electronic instrumentation, specifically the synthesizer. Many '80s New Wave artists, Soft Cell and Eurythmics among them, used the synthesizer as the foundation of their sound, while others like The Cars and The Police integrated the synth seamlessly into their punchy guitar pop. By the end of the 1980s, New Wave as a genre had splintered and the term became increasingly meaningless. The spirit of New Wave would live on in Indie Rock and College Rock, soon to become known as Alternative. The legacy of New Wave is still felt today as rock artists continue to experiment with synth textures and embody the quirky and offbeat image that made the New Wave era such a vibrant and influential time.
MICHAEL JACKSON VS PRINCE
SATURDAYS 2:00-4:30
Michael Jackson and Prince - there were, arguably, no two bigger superstars in the '80s. MJ’s Thriller and Prince’s Purple Rain were perhaps the most iconic recordings of the entire decade, and cemented each artist’s place in music history. In 1982, MJ released one of the greatest albums of all time, Thriller. The album would bring unprecedented success for Michael, topping the Billboard 200 for an impressive 37 weeks and becoming the first album to ever contain seven top-10 singles. The “Thriller” video turned the music video medium into a serious art form and helped to break down the racial barrier on the network. Michael would not release another solo album for 5 years, returning in 1987 with the highly-anticipated album, Bad. Although his output in the 1980s was limited to just two solo albums, the unprecedented massive success of both Thriller and Bad earned Michael Jackson the title as the undisputed “King of Pop.” Prince is hailed as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. Not only was he a guitar virtuoso, but he was also a prodigal multi-instrumentalist who played every instrument on his early albums, including bass, drums, and keyboards. Prince scored his commercial breakthrough in 1982 with the album 1999. The album became Prince’s first top-10 album, and the title track was his first international mega hit. Prince exploded back onto the scene with the hit film and accompanying soundtrack, Purple Rain. The album became Prince’s first number-one album, holding the top spot for an impressive 6 consecutive months, and featured the number-one hits, “Purple Rain”, “Let’s Go Crazy”, and “When Doves Cry.” Known not only for his prolific musical output, his 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.