Our Spring show season lineup offers something for everyone. Your kids can pick from classic rock, Motown, alternative rock, and more. And now we've added Songwriting. Registration is open now and shows will fill up quickly so call the front desk for more information and to sign up. 860-973-7625 There's sure to be a session that fits your schedule.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival is one of those bands that you can’t help but crack a smile while listening to. A staple of classic rock radio, their music has transcended generations and remains just as powerful today as it was back in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Inspired by the roots rock of the mid to late ’50s, CCR would release a string of hits within a short 4-year period from 1968-1972, including “Proud Mary”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Fortunate Son”, and “Down on the Corner.” There are few shows School of Rock offers that are as purely educational as this one. Every song is a master class on rhythm section groove, economical lead guitar, and vocal expressiveness. CCR is accessible enough for beginners but can challenge even advanced players - and the songs are super fun!
Fleetwood Mac
One of the world’s best-selling bands, Fleetwood Mac formed as a British Blues group in 1967 and morphed into a chart-topping British-American pop band in the mid-1970s. Despite several band member iterations, the Fleetwood Mac’s best known lineup featured Mick Fleetwood (drums), John McVie (bass), Lindsey Buckingham (guitar/vocals), Christine McVie (keys/vocals), and Stevie Nicks (vocals). It was this lineup that recorded their most successful and critically acclaimed Rumors album, which featured hits like ‘Dreams’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘The Chain’ and ‘Don’t Stop’. Fleetwood Mac is an amazing show that will challenge vocal students to master harmonies, guitar players to learn the unorthodox fingerpicking style of Lindsey Buckingham, drummers to study Mick Fleetwood’s extremely versatile drumming, keyboardists to grasp how Christine McVie merged classical-training playing with rock improvisation, and bassists to learn from John McVie’s creative and rock-solid bass foundations.
Garage Rock
Garage Rock refers to raw and powerful Rock & Roll that prioritizes emotion and energy over sophistication or technical ability. The '60s Garage Bands were in many ways the precursors to the Punk movement. Their songs tended to be short and repetitive, with simple forms and arrangements. Perhaps the two most recognizable Garage Rock anthems are “Louie Louie” and “Wild Thing”. “Louie Louie” is one of the most recorded songs in Rock history. Stripped down bands such as the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, White Stripes, Hives and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard carried the Garage Rock tradition into the 21st century.. Much like Punk Rock, Garage Rock is a broad genre with many sub-genres and different movements and eras. Garage Rock teaches fundamental musical concepts and makes for a fantastic and fun show theme geared towards beginners and more advanced players alike.
Iron Maiden vs. Judas Priest
Iron Maiden and Judas Priest - no two bands better represent the epitome of 1980s Heavy Metal. While each act has their own unique sound, what they share in common is power, precision, technical mastery, and unrelenting energy. While there may have been some obstacles along the way, both acts have successfully made the transition from hot, new acts to elder statesmen of Metal. Their catalogs leave behind a legacy of music that will inspire musicians around the globe for generations to come. The Iron Maiden vs Judas Priest show will challenge even the most seasoned School of Rock students with the technical demands of the music, while encouraging fledgling players to up their game learning fundamentals of the Metal genre.
Motown
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. 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. 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.
White Stripes vs Black Keys
The White Stripes vs Black Keys show is one of the School of Rock shows that gives a nod to more contemporary bands who have forged their name in the music industry and become inspirations to others. Both bands rely heavily on Blues-based riffs and a Garage Rock sound, each with a stripped-down lineup of only two band members. The White Stripes are a lesson in simplicity and are the standout leaders of the early 2000s Garage-Rock revival movement. While Jack White champions traditions of the past to peddle his reinterpretations of Blues, the Black Keys are a lesson in evolving into the new internet-age music era. Aspiring guitarists can learn a soulful approach to playing in this show. To serve the songs, drummers will be playing in the pocket and maintaining driving rhythms. This is a great show for vocalists at all levels, as both bands feature catchy and emotive melodies that heavily influenced modern Rock music.
Blondie
One of the pioneers in American punk music, Blondie is a band that was co-founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Formed in the 1970s in New York, Blondie took the influence of British punk rock and transformed it into the unique brand of music they would create all the way up until 1982, paving the way for more modern American punk artists and New Wave artists alike. They were an early staple at the famous club, CBGB’s. The band would reform in 1997 and they are still making music to this day. Few artists transcend a genre like Blondie and students can expect a season full of songs that pay homage to our punk roots while incorporating challenging parts to keys players and vocalists, unlike other punk artists.
The Police
One of the most influential artists of Rock n’ Roll and an authority on blending styles, The Police offer a unique mix of pop, punk, jazz, and reggae in their brand of rock. Students will experience mega hits like Roxanne, Walking on the Moon, and Message in a Bottle. A challenging show for drummers and bassists, students will be pushed to take their playing to the next level. Interesting song forms and tempos will be a nice change of pace for students who are looking to expand their horizons from classic rock or heavy metal. The Police’s drummer, Stewart Copeland is looked at as one of the finest drummers of his time and is still highly respected today. Being Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famers and having sold over 75 million records worldwide, The Police are definitely a group that shouldn’t be looked over!
Pearl Jam
One of the most iconic bands to come from the Seattle grunge scene, Pearl Jam has been rocking massive stages since the early '90s. Led by frontman Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam is best known for their catchy melodies, crunchy guitar solos, and interesting lyrics. This may be why they were dubbed, “Most popular American rock n rock band of the '90s.” Few bands have toured as much as Pearl Jam so it seems they wrote their songs specifically for live performances. Students will learn hits like Black, Yellow Ledbetter, and Alive to name a few. For those who are interested in becoming songwriters themselves, this show has many great examples that have topped American charts for years.
Unripened Chili Peppers ('80s)
Who doesn’t love the Red Hot Chili Peppers? This show is for students to get exposed to early Chili Peppers music that preceded the hits we all know and love today. With music from their self titled debut album, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Freaky Styley, and Mother’s Milk, there’s a ton of charts to explore! With roots in rock, students will learn songs that have a mix of funk and fusion that will challenge them across all instruments. Vocalists will be challenged with a blend of both interesting harmonies and verses that are rapped and sung. From small clubs in LA to Woodstock '99, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have transcended the modern rock scene since the early 1980s.
Songwriting
The Songwriting program offers students a curriculum that will teach them to write and arrange original songs culminating in a performance at the end of a season. Each student who enrolls in the Songwriting program can expect to write one new complete song over the course of a season, which will be arranged with a full band (made up of the class’ other students, as cast by the director.) In addition, students participate in a number of in-class exercises and activities designed to inspire ideas and teach the craft of songwriting, as well as learn how to workshop their original ideas in a group critique setting. Their songs will be performed at a Performance Program end of season show.