Performance Program
AGES 13-18
The Performance Program is School of Rock's hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students perform live each year. It 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. 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.
RADIOHEAD
Radiohead has emerged in the 21st century as torchbearers of the progressive rock tradition, and have threaded the needle between innovation and popularity as well as anyone. Formed in 1985 in the UK under the name On A Friday, with members Thom Yorke (vocals), Johnny Greenwood (Guitar/multi-instrumentalist), Colin Greenwood (Bass), Ed O’Brien (Guitar/Vocals), and Philip Selway (Drums), they eventually changed their name to Radiohead upon the request of their record label, EMI. After two albums that found some success in the alternative scene thanks to the slacker anthem “Creep”, Radiohead released what would become their landmark album, OK Computer. This masterpiece cemented them as true artists and gained them worldwide success. With their constant instrumental experimentation, culturally relevant lyrics and themes, and blend of styles and genres, Radiohead are heralded as one of the most important and critically acclaimed rock acts of the modern era. The Radiohead show is an ambitious challenge for all student levels, but can be one of the most rewarding and educational shows offered by School of Rock.
KISS
Parental Advisory: Some lyrical content in this show may not be appropriate for all students.
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”.
HENDRIX
Jimi Hendrix is arguably the most influential guitarist in the history of Rock & Roll. Few other individuals have had as much widespread impact on how electric guitar is played, not to mention such a lasting musical and cultural legacy. Jimi was one of the greatest guitar players to ever walk the earth, but was also an incredible songwriter and an innovator in the recording studio as well. Hendrix’s first album, Are You Experienced, one of the definitive albums of the Woodstock era, was released in 1967 and featured the singles” Purple Haze”, “Hey Joe”, “Stone Free”, “The Wind Cries Mary”, and “Foxey Lady” - all of which have become classic rock standards. Hendrix followed that up with two artistic and innovative works, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland. The live recording, Band Of Gypsys, released in 1970, would be the final album released during his relatively short lifetime. With the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and later with Band of Gypsys, Hendrix and his bandmates took Blues and Jazz conventions and turned them upside down, creating a completely fresh sound. Jimi’s incredible technical ability and ingenious experimentation with guitar effects completely reinvented rock and roll guitar playing and influenced everyone who came after him.
BEST OF THE 80s
In the Best of the '80s show, School of Rock will travel back in time to an era of fluorescent clothes, poofy hair, and the best synth-driven pop anthems you will ever hear. On August 1, 1981, music fans were catapulted into the '80s music era by the debut of a cultural phenomenon: MTV. This new music format - the music video - gave old and new artists alike the chance to reach unimaginable numbers of diverse audiences and sell millions of records and cassette tapes. The '80s would not have had its soundtrack without Michael Jackson. Jackson began the '80s on a sonic high that carried over from 1979’s “Off the Wall”, but he struck gold with the worldwide phenomenon that was Thriller. Also making a huge impact on the '80s were super-star Pop acts like Madonna, Prince, and all-girl band The Bangles. Synth-driven music became massively popular, with artists like Eurythmics, Flock of Seagulls, and The Cars becoming stars. Although Pop acts reigned supreme in the '80s, Rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Journey, Bon Jovi, and Living Colour reaped the benefits of the ‘decade of excess’. The Best of the '80s show will feature a diverse mix of styles and artists, and is a challenging and fun experience for students of any instrument or experience level.
ROCK 101
Ages 7-12
Rock 101 is one of School of Rock’s major programs for kids and beginners. The patented School of Rock Method combines our core philosophy of performance-based music education with a unique curriculum designed for kids with no previous musical experience. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn classic rock songs that have been simplified specifically for beginner musicians. These rehearsals get young musicians to learn the fundamentals of their instrument while playing with a band in a positive and fun atmosphere. Students also have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who will help them rehearse performance songs while teaching them foundational music skills and concepts.Rock 101 is one of School of Rock’s major programs for kids and beginners. The patented School of Rock Method combines our core philosophy of performance-based music education with a unique curriculum designed for kids with no previous musical experience. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn classic rock songs that have been simplified specifically for beginner musicians. These rehearsals get young musicians to learn the fundamentals of their instrument while playing with a band in a positive and fun atmosphere. Students also have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who will help them rehearse performance songs while teaching them foundational music skills and concepts.