School of Rock Teaches Young Musicians How to Perform Rock and Roll Music

Many musically talented children dream of someday being a Rock Star. A music school called the School of Rock has made those dreams easier to achieve with their music training program that focuses on rock music. School of Rock not only trains young musicians how to play rock music as part of a band with other musicians, it also provides direct access to some of the legends of Rock and Roll who volunteer their time to teach and perform live with the students.

The days of learning how to play rock music as part of a garage band are over. Kids can now gain formal training regarding not only how to play an instrument, but also how to perform in front of a live audience.

The idea for the School of Rock was the brain-child of a musician and music teacher named Paul Green who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was originally called The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Green started out in 1996 teaching music via individual lessons. Green wanted to see how his music students would do if they joined in a jam session with his rock band. Initially, he was disappointed by the results. But, after a few sessions, he realized that the students who participated in the jam sessions were learning music faster than those who only learned through individual lessons. From this experience, Green founded the School of Rock.

Like many great things, the School of Rock had a humble beginning. The first official School of Rock was established in a run-down building in Philadelphia during 2003. From there, the school branched out to a number of major cities across the United States.

Green’s ownership in the School of Rock was bought out in 2005 by an investor group called Sterling Partners. Since then, the school has grown by leaps and bounds. CNN Money did an article in February 2013 about School of Rock franchising opportunities. The article said the School of Rock has "more than 10,000 kids enrolled in 105 locations in 31 states, as well as in Mexico." The school is in a rapid growth stage, with plans for greater than 300 locations in the United States and Mexico by 2015.

Each School of Rock franchise offers their own slate of rock and roll music instruction, including individual instruction for all skill levels regarding how to play guitar, bass guitar, vocals, keyboards, and drums. While individual music instruction is an important part of the school’s music education efforts, a significant emphasis is placed on teaching children how to perform with other musicians live on stage, as a Rock and Roll musical group in front of a live audience. Staying consistent with their founder’s principles, the School of Rock states on their website: “…the best way to learn music is to play music…. School of Rock teaches guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, drums and combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals to prepare students to take the stage in front of live audiences in an authentic concert setting.”

Some franchises offer programs for pre-school children that teach them the basics of music. While other franchises offer a “Grad School program” for people over the age of eighteen that provides individual music instruction and instruction regarding how to perform live Rock and Roll as part of a band.

What the School of Rock offers students is a chance to develop their musical talents with an orientation towards live performances as part of a Rock and Roll music group. For students that excel at their musicianship and live performance capabilities, the School of Rock has a program called the School of Rock All Stars that takes the children on tour to play in front of live audiences in well known performance halls throughout the region in which a School of Rock franchise is located.

Participating in the School of Rock also offers students many valuable life lessons and skills beyond music instruction, from proper time management to how to interact with others in a group setting.

One of the more exciting aspects of being a student at the School of Rock is being able to participate in the school’s Guest Professor Workshops, which feature accomplished musicians that instruct the students one-on-one and often perform with them live. The Guest Professors discuss with students their experiences as musicians, songwriting and live performance techniques and tips, and what they have learned about handling fame.

If you are interested in learning more about the School of Rock and how to participate in your area, see the School of Rock’s official website.