Working toward and experiencing live performance is the core of our curriculum. Our students grow as individuals by taking the stage with others. While our students work with bandmates, they learn broader life skills like collaboration, compromise and courage.

We call this revolutionary approach to music education The School of Rock Method™. The School of Rock Method builds musical proficiency through our proprietary Method App, Method Book collection, SongFirst approach, and Performance Based Music Education. Our Method has been awarded a patent making our teaching system available nowhere else.

Rookies is a music program designed for kids ages 6-7 with no previous musical experience. Students have one weekly group lesson where they learn music fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Rookies students also learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they are then able to decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock’s major music programs. Kids ages 8-13 have a weekly group rehearsal where they learn classic rock songs that have been arranged and simplified specifically for beginner musicians. These rehearsals are all about getting young musicians to learn the fundamentals of their instrument and playing with a band in a positive and fun atmosphere. Students also have a weekly private music lesson where they learn foundational music and instrument skills and concepts.

The Performance Program is School of Rock's hallmark music program. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where students work with a band composed of their peers to play through rock music's most iconic songs. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience, and opportunity to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons to refine the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare students for live performances. Every few months, Performance Program students take the stage and play at local music venues in front of a real audience.

East Hartford's 2023 Performance Show lineup, in addition to Rookies & Rock 101 includes:

‘90s Rock

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, 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!

British Invasion

The mid-1960s cultural phenomenon known as “The British Invasion” refers to the sudden and ubiquitous popularity of British rock and roll among the American youth of the time. The catalog of music created by these artists - including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks among others - propelled Rock & Roll music to the mainstream of cultural relevance where it remains to this day. The British Invasion bands took inspiration from Blues, Folk, and early Rock & Roll and combined these influences in an exciting way that can teach both our students and audiences the foundation of modern pop and rock music. British Invasion is a prime show choice for all instruments and experience levels to learn the foundations of Rock music, and especially perfect for emerging players who are looking to take the next step in widening their musical repertoire. Some notable song selections may include The Beatles’ “Twist And Shout”, The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, and The Yardbirds’ “For Your Love”.

Pop Legends

Before there was Rock and Roll, there was Pop. Short for Popular, Pop music was whatever was popular at that moment.  The Pop Legends show will celebrate the impact that acclaimed artists have made on the music industry.  It will encompass a vast timeline of Pop Music ranging from the 60s through today, including artists such as Carol King, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Adele and many more. This show is a great challenge for “Rock” guitar players who want to work on new chord shapes and voicings. Bass players will be able to work on very challenging melodic parts in support of drummers who will learn limb independence on many of the parts. Vocalists’ skills will be pushed with the level of singing and performing required in this show, while keyboardists will be heavily represented in these well-known arrangements.  

AC/DC vs Kiss

Few rock bands have had the longevity and commercial success of AC/DC. Formed in Sydney, Australia, in the early '70s, the band - led by guitarist brothers Angus and Malcolm Young - quickly began their rise to Hard Rock’ superstardom with the release of their albums High Voltage, T.N.T., and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. With Bon Scott at the vocal helm, AC/DC gained world-wide fame. After Scott’s untimely passing in 1980, Brian Johnson took over as vocalist and recorded one of the greatest, most influential albums in modern rock: Back In Black, featuring classic songs like “Hells Bells”, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, “Shoot To Thrill”, and of course “Back In Black”. After almost 50 years, AC/DC continues to be a favorite band for generations of fans. This is a perfect show for budding lead guitarists and vocalists, and also provides valuable lessons for bassists and drummers on playing tight grooves in the service of the song. 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”.