BEST OF 2000s - Rehearses Mondays 5-7pm
SPOTS FILLED - ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED
The 2000s Show offers a huge variety of music that is sure to satiate any student’s musical appetite. The 2000s has produced more and more artists whose music blends and defies genres, and draws from a greater variety of influences than was available at any previous point in history. At the same time, more traditional bands and artists, including some who started making music in the twentieth century, have adapted to the changing times and continued to thrive. Though it is impossible to place the varied music of the 2000s into one definable style or category, certain themes emerge: 1) an interest in and revival of ‘retro’ sounds using modern technology and sensibilities, and 2) songwriting that draws from a huge diversity of genres and styles, making 21st-century ‘rock’ bands even harder to pin down to one style alone. Examples of blockbuster artists that might be in the setlist include Foo Fighters, RHCP, Evanescence, Fall Out Boy, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Paramore, White Stripes, Adele, The Strokes, Jet, The Darkness, Tool, and many others. This is a perfect show for students of all ages and experience levels and will offer many opportunities to perform across all genres!
Start Date: Monday, August 31st
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SONGWRITING - Rehearses Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm
Creating original songs can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences for musicians. School of Rock’s Songwriting Program teaches the fundamentals of songwriting and arranging, as students compose original works. Rehearsal time for the first half of the season consists of engaging songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops, where students learn to create ideas and overcome writer’s block with techniques that professionals rely on. As each student builds on their original song idea, the group begins arranging the songs for a full band, with each student serving as accompaniment to the other students, helping each other realize their vision. The season culminates in a live performance of all the original songs.
Participation in this group is at the discretion of our music director and show directors, and is based on the student's ability. Please note that students are required to have either attended a performance group prior to the Fall season, or consult with our music director to be placed into this group.
Start Date: Tuesday, September 1st
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HISTORY OF METAL - Reheaarses Wednesdays 6-8pm
Heavy Metal has grown into one of the most powerful and diverse genres in rock history. Beginning with the dark, heavy riffs of Black Sabbath in the early 1970s, metal quickly evolved as bands such as Iron Maiden brought soaring vocals, galloping rhythms, and twin-guitar harmonies to the forefront. In the 1980s, Thrash Metal bands like Metallica pushed the genre toward faster tempos, tighter precision, and more aggressive riffing. In later decades, bands such as System of a Down, Slipknot, and Gojira continued to push metal forward with new sounds, rhythms, and levels of intensity. The History of Metal show will take students on a journey through the many eras and styles of this influential genre. Guitarists and bassists will have opportunities to learn powerful riffs and exciting solos, drummers can develop their speed, precision, and groove, and vocalists will explore everything from melodic singing to high-energy performance. While advanced students will find plenty of exciting challenges, metal is also built on memorable riffs, strong rhythms, and unforgettable songs that give developing players a chance to shine. This is a fun, high-energy show for students of every instrument and experience level.
Start Date: Wednesday, September 2nd
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ADULT PROGRAM: SANTANA - Rehearses Wednesdays 8:15pm-10:15pm
Few guitarists in rock history have created a sound as distinctive and immediately recognizable as Carlos Santana. Emerging from San Francisco in the late 1960s, Santana became an international sensation after their unforgettable performance at Woodstock, blending the power of Rock with the rhythmic energy of Latin and Afro-Cuban music. Songs such as “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman,” and “Oye Como Va” helped define the band’s classic sound: soaring, melodic guitar lines supported by driving bass, Hammond organ, drums, and layers of percussion. Decades later, Santana found a new generation of listeners with the massively successful album Supernatural, featuring hits such as “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.” The Santana show offers far more than iconic guitar solos. Drummers will learn powerful, groove-driven drum parts while also having opportunities to explore the percussion textures that are essential to Santana’s sound. Bassists and keyboardists will help build the band’s rhythmic and harmonic foundation, while vocalists will perform catchy, energetic songs that audiences love. While experienced players will find exciting challenges in Santana’s improvisation, rhythmic precision, and expressive arrangements, the band’s memorable grooves and approachable song structures offer fantastic opportunities for developing musicians as well. Santana is an exciting show for performers of every instrument and experience level!
Start Date: Wednesday, September 2nd
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HEART - Rehearses Thursdays 6-8pm
Heart rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hugely successful hits. Fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, Heart fused influences including hard rock, folk, and prog, into a sound that was uniquely their own. Formed in the late '60s in Seattle, Washington by members Steve Fossen on bass, Roger Fisher on guitar, Don Wilhelm on guitar, keys and lead vocals, and Ray Schafer on drums, the band went through many name changes from The Army, White Heart, to Heart. Ann Wilson joined in 1970, changing the name once more to Hocus Pocus for a time, but the band eventually settled on simply, Heart. Ann’s sister Nancy was eventually convinced to join in 1973. Heart moved from Seattle to Vancouver in the mid '70s and began what was to become their entry into international success with songs like “Crazy On You” and “Magic Man”. Through the '80s and '90s, Heart continued their stint on the billboard charts, achieving Number One hits with the songs “These Dreams” and “Alone”. One of the most successful bands in Rock history, Heart offers students the opportunity for a challenging show that covers a lot of musical ground, from their proggy, guitar-heavy '70s compositions to their radio-friendly and synth-driven '80s material. Masterful technicians on guitar and vocals, the Wilson sisters continue to be a huge inspiration for young girls.Heart is a great show for intermediate and advanced kids of all instruments, and will also offer beginners a welcome opportunity to shine, especially on their well-known '80s ballads.
Start Date: Thursday, September 3rd
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LIVE AID - Rehearses Saturdays 2pm-4pm
On July 13, 1985, Live Aid brought together some of the biggest artists in the world for a massive benefit concert held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Africa, the event became one of the most famous concerts in music history, broadcast to audiences around the globe and remembered for legendary performances by artists such as Queen, U2, David Bowie, The Who, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Tina Turner, Santana, and Paul McCartney. The Live Aid show celebrates the spirit of a once-in-a-generation concert event while giving students the chance to perform music from some of the most iconic artists of the 1970s and 1980s. Guitarists will explore classic riffs, tasteful solos, and arena-sized rock parts, while bassists and drummers will focus on the powerful grooves that drove these unforgettable performances. Keyboardists will have opportunities to play everything from piano-driven rock to synth-heavy pop arrangements, and vocalists will take on some of the most memorable melodies and front-person performances in rock and pop history. With a wide range of artists, styles, and difficulty levels, Live Aid is an exciting and educational show for students of every instrument and experience level.
Start Date: Saturday, September 12th
