BACK TO SCHOOL...OF ROCK
The Performance Program is School of Rock's hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. Utilizing the patented School of Rock Method, Performance Program 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, and refine 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, Performance Program students take the stage and play at local music venues in front of a live audience.
To contact the school with any questions, or to sign up, please call us at 516-234-ROCK (7625) ext. 2, or email us at rockvillecentre@schoolofrock.com.
PIONEERS OF ROCK
ROCK 101 | AGES 7-10 | WEDNESDAYS, 4:00PM-5:30PM
From the beginning of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 1940’s and 1950’s to the introduction of its sub-genres, this show has it all! We’ll be exploring the entire history of the genre, starting from Chuck Berry and moving towards today’s rock and roll.
RAMONES VS. THE CLASH
ROCK 102 | AGES 10-13 | THURSDAYS, 6:30PM-8:30PM OR SATURDAYS, 10:30AM-12:30PM
The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they also contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that emerged in the wake of punk, using a variety of genres including reggae and funk. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon.
Known as the first true punk rock group, based in Forest Hills, Queens. The Ramones showcased fast power chords, punk style drums and catchy choruses. The band was highly influential in the United States, Argentina, Brazil and most of South America, as well as Europe, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Belgium. The Ramones performed 2,263 concerts, touring virtually nonstop for 22 years.
Both bands gained influence in each other's respective territories, but they both made waves in NYC's iconic underground rock club, CBGBs in the '70s. This show will pit them against each other to create a set that's funky, fast, melodic and new wave. Hey, ho - LET'S GO!
BOSTON VS. HEART
ROCK 103 | AGES 13-HS SENIOR | MONDAYS, 5:15PM-7:15PM
Boston and Heart dominated the charts in the 1970’s with their unique brand of melodic Hard Rock. Boston’s debut album, Boston, ranks as one of the best selling debut albums in U.S history with over 17 million copies sold. Heart, fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, boasts multiple platinum selling albums as well. These bands offer fierce challenging instrumentals to back the stratospheric vocals at the center of these songs. Listen to: “Crazy on You”, “Barracuda”.“More Than a Feeling”, “Foreplay/ Long Time”
PAT BENATAR, JOAN JETT & BLONDIE
ROCK 103 | AGES 13-HS SENIOR | TUESDAYS, 5:15PM-7:15PM
Who comes to mind when you think of the Queen of Rock 'n Roll? Is it Joan Jett? Maybe it's Pat Benatar? Or perhaps Debbie Harry, of Blondie? Great news! In this show, you don't have to pick just one!
These iconic rockers and their respective bands all rose to prominence in the late 1970s, and were international superstars by the early '80s. Their styles are different but complement each other well - Joan (ad her bands, The Runaways in the '70s and today's Blackhearts) brings the punk edge, Pat's the master of pop ballads, and Blondie paved the New Wave way! This is a decent show for up-and-coming players, but there are definitely challenges for advanced students here - get ready harness the power of these iconic female pillars of rock!
FUNK & REGGAE
ROCK 103 | AGES 13-HS SENIOR | WEDNESDAY, 5:15PM-7:15PM
We're doing one of the grooviest shows we've got to offer, Funk & Reggae! Funk and Reggae were both genres that had their origins in the 1960's via African-American and Jamaican communities. James Brown first coined the "funk beat" in the 1950's and 60s, which emphasized the first downbeat of the measure - this would lead to the development of some of the world's favorite funk bands, including Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament, Chaka Khan and more. Funk music is characterized with funky, syncopated bass lines and steady, infectious drum grooves, leading to its popularity in the 70s and 80s. Reggae was developed in Jamaica in the late 60s, and is known for its propulsive percussion, hypnotic bass lines, and steady, up-stroke rhythm guitar, which helped devlop it as a dance music genre. Bob Marley helped to champion the genre, which would lead to future genres including ska.
OLD SCHOOL PUNK
ROCK 103 | AGES 13-HS SENIOR | FRIDAYS, 5:15PM-7:15PM
We're kickin' it old school - punk, that is! This genre emerged in the mid-1970s in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in 1960s garage rock, punk rock bands rejected perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock. They typically produced short, fast-paced songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. This show explores the DIY-driven roots in underground clubs and dive bars.
Listen to bands like Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, and the Ramones.
PINK FLOYD
ROCK 103 | AGES 13-HS SENIOR | SATURDAYS, 12:30PM-2:30PM
Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining a following as a psychedelic rock group, they were distinguished for their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics and elaborate live shows, and became a leading band of the progressive rock genre. They are one of the most commercially successful and influential bands in popular music history.
BRIT ROCK
GRAD SCHOOL | AGES 18+ | MONDAYS, 7:30PM-9:30PM AT SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY
The British are coming! This season, we’re traveling across the pond to pay tribute to some of the world’s most incredible bands to ever exist, including The Police, The Who, Judas Priest, The Kinks, Pink Floyd and more!
Listen to: Led Zeppelin, The Police, The Who, Genesis, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Clash, Queen, Radiohead, etc.
Rehearsals for our Grad School/Adult Program take place at SCHOOL OF ROCK SYOSSET/OYSTER BAY, located at 180 Michael Drive, Syosset. While the rehearsal takes place at Syosset, you are welcome to take lessons at our Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn/Albertson, or Syosset/Oyster Bay locations!
