Back to School... of Rock! We are so excited for our fall show season. The season will start at the beginning of October, with end-of-season performances taking place in mid-to-late January. Check out the full show desciptions as well as the full rehearsal schedule below.
Mondays
Rock 101 (5:00 - 6:30 PM)
Rock 101 is our performance program for beginners ages 7-11 years old, consisting of a weekly 45-minute private lesson and a group rehearsal. Students focus on an instrument of their choice (guitar, drums, keys, vocals, or bass) while learning how to work with a band - and have fun doing it! This is our first day/time option for Rock 101.
Opening act (6:30 - 8:00 PM)
Opening Act is School of Rock’s performance program for beginners ages 12-17, consisting of a weekly 45-minute private lesson and group rehearsal. In Opening Act, students learn simplified versions of classic and modern rock songs to progress their skills in an instrument of their choice including guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, or vocals.
rock rookies (6:45 - 7:45 PM)
Rookies is a music program for kids ages 7 and 8 with no musical experience. Students have a weekly one-hour group lesson to learn about various rock instruments (guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and vocals), ear training, song structure, and rhythmic patterns within a group setting. Most kids are still discovering their instrument preference at this stage, and we provide the perfect environment to explore different options. This is our first day/time option for Rock Rookies.
Tuesdays
21st century indie rock (4:30 - 6:30 PM) | main performance program
While “Indie Rock” began as an underground DIY movement in rock and roll in the late 1970s and 1980s, the term began to be used more broadly in the aftermath of Nirvana’s success in the early 90s to refer to any music that fell outside of mainstream tastes - a synonym to the more well-known “alternative” label.
By the turn of the millennium, Indie Rock was mainstream, and became defined by the hard-driving garage-influenced sounds of bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, Dead Weather, and The Killers. As the 2000s unfolded, Indie Rock evolved to incorporate more varied influences, such as Folk (Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers), Space Rock (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard), World Music (Vampire Weekend, Florence + The Machine, Arcade Fire), Pop (Clairo, Billie Eilish, Mitksi), Electronica (DJO, MGMT, St. Vincent). This show celebrates all of the varied sounds of Indie Rock in the 21st Century, and is a great option for students of all instruments and experience levels.
tribute to ozzy (6:45 - 8:45 PM) | main performance program
Few other individuals have had as much widespread impact on music as Ozzy Osbourne. Throughout his historic career, Ozzy released thirteen studio albums, seven of which achieved multi-platinum status, earning him the title "Godfather of Metal" among his diehard fans. The Ozzy show will dive headfirst into his legendary catalogue, including everything from Black Sabbath to tracks from his solo career, showcasing just why Ozzy can be considered the human personification of metal. A show all about the Prince of Darkness himself demands power and unrelenting energy, so be sure to expect heavy riffs and intense stage presence demands. This show is a challenging show perfect for students looking to push their skills on guitar, bass, and drums. Not for the faint of heart… but definitely for any loud metalheads.
Wednesdays
Drum Core (5:30 - 6:30 PM)
Drum Core is a program designed for kids ages 8-11 with little-to-no drumming experience, consisting of a weekly 45-minute private lesson and an hour long class. The class teaches essential drum skills for playing confidently in a band, setting the stage for a smooth transition into Rock 101 and beyond!
motown (5:00 - 8:00 PM) | main performance program
The mastermind behind Motown Records’ success was the endlessly entrepreneurial Berry Gordy. Gordy’s meticulous approach to the creation, performance, and distribution of music fueled the growth of one of the most successful black-owned businesses in American history. With over 100 hits in Billboard’s top 10 from 1961 to 1971, Motown and its subsidiary labels more than earned the right to become known as “Hitsville, U.S.A.”. The explosive success of Motown broke new ground by tearing down racial barriers in the music industry, helping to open the door to mainstream success for countless black creators.
In the 1960s, Motown’s star-studded roster featured groups like Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, the Jackson 5, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Marvelettes, and The Temptations. Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross would eventually enjoy successful solo careers like label-mates Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. In the next decade, the label’s headquarters migrated from Detroit to Los Angeles and saw the artistic and comparatively more experimental offerings from Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Motown’s influence has impacted generations of artists since its heyday in the 1960s. Its contributions to the racial integration of the music industry will never be forgotten - nor will its infectious sound.
thursdays
rock 101 (5:00 - 6:30 PM)
This is our second day/time option for Rock 101 (ages 7-11).
women of the 70s (5:00 - 8:00 PM) | main performance program
The 1970s were a groundbreaking decade for women in music, marked by powerful voices, artistry, and unforgettable performances that shaped the future of rock and beyond. Women-fronted bands like The Runaways, Heart, ABBA, and Fleetwood Mac dominated the airwaves with anthems that we’re still singing along to today, while solo artists such as Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Roberta Flack, Kate Bush, Carole King, Patti Smith, and Aretha Franklin rose to prominence and became household names. Their songs pushed boundaries, told stories that needed to be heard, and inspired generations of musicians to follow. This show will span rock, folk, pop, soul, and more, requiring a range of techniques from every student and with one common goal: to celebrate the women whose music forever changed the trajectory of the industry.
saturdays
rock rookies (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
This is our second day/time option for Rock Rookies.
Rock 101 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
This is our third day/time option for Rock 101 (ages 7-11).
Grunge (12:45 - 2:45 PM) | main performance program
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1980s out of Seattle, Washington and gained massive popularity in the early 1990s. Characterized by its raw sound, distorted guitars, and emotionally charged lyrics, grunge blended elements of punk rock and heavy metal while rejecting the polished aesthetic of mainstream '80s rock. The genre often conveyed themes of apathy, disillusionment, resonating with a generation grappling with societal and personal unrest.
Unlike other rock subgenres, grunge emphasized authenticity. While the movement declined in the late '90s, its influence endures, shaping alternative rock and indie music. Grunge left a lasting cultural impact by challenging musical norms and voicing a collective dissatisfaction with the status quo, making it not just a sound, but a statement. Some of the most successful grunge bands are Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. Other bands include Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, Veruca Salt, L7, and Mudhoney, plus many more!
Want to sign up?
Click here for the sign-up form: 2025 Fall Show Sign-up Form
Sign ups are currently open, though please note that some shows may be completely full or full on certain instruments. If you are not currently enrolled at School of Rock Highland Heights but would like to sign up, please reach out to us to schedule your individual lessons and set up your enrollment.
Sign ups are first come, first served, though student placement will be determined by several factors including scheduling, age, experience, group dynamics, and educational value. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at highlandheights@schoolofrock.com or 440-684-7625.
Note: Rock Rookies and Drum Core are not part of the seasonal sign-up process and will not appear on the form. These programs offer rolling enrollment, so you can start anytime. Just contact us to check class availability and get started right away!