BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO ROCK: NOW ENROLLING FALL SHOWS!
School of Rock Rockville Centre is celebrating 10 years of rocking and rolling, and are kicking things off with the announcement of our Fall Show themes!
At School of Rock Rockville Centre, 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!
See the end of this article for important dates, and ways to sign up for the new season!
ROCK 101: CLASSIC ROCK ANTHEMS
ages 7-10 | rehearses: wednesdays, 4p-5:30p or thursdays, 5p-6:30p
From the classics to today, Rock 101 covers it all! This show, perfect for students ages 7-10, will cover the entire rock and roll spectrum.
ROCK 102: HAIR METAL
AGES 10-13 | REHEARSES: THURSDAYS, 6:30P-8:30P OR SATURDAYS, 10:30A-12:30P
The Hair Metal show is one of the most fun shows in the SoR repertoire, and can be very challenging as well. Hair Metal took over radio and MTV in the 1980s, as bands like Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Quiet Riot combined great songwriting, acrobatic shred guitar, and sugary vocal harmonies with flashy outfits and tons of hairspray, capturing the hearts of America’s teenagers. As the 1980s began, a fusion of several musical styles began to occur. The Glam Rock sound and imagery of the '70s began to combine with Metal and Punk to create a “glittery” Heavy Metal: Hair Metal. As the decade moved forward, the first wave of L.A. bands began to get signed and work their way up the charts. This included acts such as Quiet Riot with Metal Health, Dokken with Breaking the Chains, and Ratt with Out of the Cellar. While each had their own distinct sound, what they shared in common was an image of leather and chains, and an aggressive musical style that emphasized great hooks and loud guitars. Students will have a chance to play selections by Motley Crue, Poison, Guns n Roses, Ozzy, Van Halen, Skid Row, Quiet Riot, Lita Ford, Def Leppard, Ratt, Warrant, Bon Jovi, Dokken, Whitesnake and the like!
ROCK 103: CLASSIC R&B
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES: MONDAYS, 5:15P-7:15P
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!
ROCK 103: PINK FLOYD'S THE WALL
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES: TUESDAYS, 5:15P-7:15P
WARNING: SOME LYRICAL CONTENT IN THIS SHOW MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL STUDENTS
The legendary double-album which propelled Pink Floyd to superstardom, The Wall features hits like “Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2”, “Hey You”, and “Comfortably Numb.” The concept album follows the alienation of protagonist ‘Pink’, who is loosely based on both Roger Waters and previous Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett, and depicts lyrical themes of isolation, abandonment, and childhood trauma, all symbolized by a wall that is built and then torn down over the course of the story. The Wall’s music is defined by the soaring guitar solos of one of Rock’s masters, David Gilmour; lush piano and synth soundscapes by Richard Wright; intense drumming by Nick Mason; and introspective, complex, conceptual songwriting by Roger Waters. Pink Floyd’s The Wall encompasses not only fine musicianship, but also involves theatrics and stage performance, and presents an ambitious challenge for students of any instrument or experience level.
ROCK 103: LED ZEPPELIN
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES: WEDNESDAYS, 5:30P-7:30P
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!
ROCK 103: POP PUNK & EMO
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES: FRIDAYS, 5:15P-7:15P
In the 1990s, artists such as Green Day, Offspring, and Blink-182 achieved success by blending punk attitudes and influences with a more polished, melodic, commercially appealing sound than their often raw predecessors. By the 2000s, Pop Punk and its Emo offshoot (featuring lyrics that touch on emotional and confessional topics) were fully entrenched in the mainstream music world, with bands such as Fall Out Boy, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, and Panic! At the Disco topping the charts and selling out arenas. Of course, this music is still incredibly popular and influential today. A fun show that can be musically challenging but also teaches solid fundamental skills, Pop Punk & Emo is sure to appeal to all levels of students and will entertain any crowd!
ROCK 103: 90's rock
ages 13-hs senior | rehearses: saturdays, 12:30p-2:30p
The ‘90s Rock show is arguably one of the most popular School of Rock shows in our collection. Packed with a plethora of what are now known as ‘classic rock’ songs, the stylistic spectrum of this show is wide enough to excite any student rocker! Hard Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Alternative and Indie encompass this decade of music that many parents grew up on! While some connect the era of ‘90s Rock to the Seattle-area Grunge scene with bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, this show expands to also feature acts like Weezer, Hole, Oasis, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day. The ‘90s Rock show will stretch any students’ musical progress while delighting and creating nostalgia for their parents!
GRAD SCHOOL: LED ZEPPELIN
AGES 18+ | REHEARSES: MONDAYS, 7:30P-9:30P AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY
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!
REHEARSALS FOR GRAD SCHOOL TAKE PLACE AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY, LOCATED AT 180 MICHAEL DRIVE, SYOSSET NY 11791
GRAD SCHOOL: THE BEATLES VS. ROLLING STONES
AGES 18+ | REHEARSES: WEDNESDAYS, 7:15P-9:15P AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY
Witness the ultimate rock 'n' roll showdown as The Beatles take on The Rolling Stones! Experience the musical genius of The Beatles, from their early raucous three-chord rockers to their late sixties era technical masterpieces. Drummers will master Ringo’s artistry, bassists will be inspired by Paul’s melodic bass lines, guitarists will explore John and George’s sophisticated skills, and vocalists will appreciate their brilliant harmonies.
On the other side, The Rolling Stones, dubbed 'The Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World', have rocked for nearly 60 years, incorporating Rock, Country, Blues, Punk, and Disco into their sound. Guitarists will learn from Keith Richards' rhythmic prowess, drummers will explore percussion like bongos and congas, and vocalists will study Mick Jagger’s iconic stage moves. Keys players will dive into the styles of legendary musicians like Ian Stewart and Nicky Hopkins.
Join us for an epic musical journey that pits The Beatles' artistry against The Rolling Stones' raw rock 'n' roll spirit. This show is a must for musicians of all instruments and skill levels!
REHEARSALS FOR GRAD SCHOOL TAKE PLACE AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY, LOCATED AT 180 MICHAEL DRIVE, SYOSSET NY 11791
how to enroll in the fall season
- CURRENT SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES:
- ROCK 101/102: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey, previously emailed and available on the Parent Portal.
- ROCK 103/GRAD SCHOOL: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey, and sign up with your instructors during your lesson from July 29 - August 9.
- SOON-TO-BE SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES:
- Call us at 516-234-7625, email us at rockvillecentre@schoolofrock.com, or fill out the form below to get started!
A NOTE ABOUT SONG 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.