At School of Rock Syosset/Oyster Bay, 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 TUESDAYS, 5:30-7P
The Classic Rock show is the perfect show for School of Rock students of all ages, instruments, and experience levels! Focusing heavily on music from the mid-1960s through the mid 1990s, there's bands that will be featured that everyone will enjoy! Be prepared to play hits by bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, Pink Floyd, Boston, Talking Heads and more.
ROCK 102: BRITISH ROCK
AGES 10-13 | REHEARSES THURSDAYS, 4:30-6:30P OR THURSDAYS, 6:30-8:30P
The British are coming! This season, we’re traveling across the pond to pay tribute to some of the world’s most incredible bands, celebrating the rich legacy of British rock. Experience the iconic sounds of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queen, and more. Feel the raw power of Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, the punk rebellion of The Clash, and the innovative sounds of Radiohead. Musicians of all skill levels will delve into legendary riffs, solos, dynamic rhythms, driving bass lines, and unforgettable melodies. The British Rock Show is a must-see for any rock enthusiast, offering an extraordinary journey through the history and evolution of British rock. Don’t miss this epic tribute to the bands that have shaped the world of rock music!
ROCK 103: HAIR METAL
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES TUESDAYS, 7:15-9:15P
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: SOUTHERN ROCK
AGES 13-HS SENIOR | REHEARSES WEDNESDAYS, 5:15P-7:15P
Southern Rock encompasses more than just music generated by bands south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
It’s a vibe and emotion that stems from a long painful history of racism, oppression, economic hardship, and classism. However the very spirit of Southern Rock is one of healing and reconciliation.
Rock and Roll has deep roots in the South, and this show will feature the best of Southern Rock through the years – from early artists such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, to bluesy southern rockers like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Bonnie Raitt, to modern practitioners like Gary Clark Jr., Carrie Underwood, and The Black Crowes. The Southern Rock show will thrust guitar players to the forefront with guitar harmonies and advanced soloing based on the pentatonic scale. Bass players will dig deep into groove playing. Drummers will learn to play through different feels like shuffles, boogies, and half-time and double-time transitions. Keyboardists will be challenged with new styles as they utilize diverse sounds ranging from piano to Hammond organ to Rhodes electric piano. Vocalists will gain an understanding of Southern-style harmony and emotive singing. This show offers many challenges for ambitious and experienced players!
GRAD SCHOOL: LED ZEPPELIN
AGES 18+ | REHEARSES MONDAYS, 7:30-9:30P
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!
GRAD SCHOOL: THE BEATLES VS. ROLLING STONES
AGES 18+ | REHEARSES WEDNESDAYS, 7:15-9:15P
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!
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE FALL SEASON
- CURRENT SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES
- ROCK 101/102: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey available on the Parent Portal.
- ROCK 103/GRAD SCHOOL: Fill out the Show Scheduling Survey available on the Parent Portal, then discuss your options with your instructor between Monday, July 29 and Sunday, August 11th.
- SOON-TO-BE SCHOOL OF ROCK FAMILIES
- Call us at 516-234-7625, email us at syossetoysterbay@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.