Welcome to School of Rock, we can't wait to hit the stage with you! This New Student Guide was made to help you get familiar with some of our lingo and learn more about the school. Have questions about things we covered or missed? Ask anyone at the school, we're here to help!

HOW WE TEACH

Rock and roll is our heart and soul, and we’ll show you how in our patented teaching methodologies and tools. Our patented School of Rock Method™ has taught hundreds of thousands of students around the world to play music. Our Method builds musical proficiency by integrating thrilling stage performance, song-based learning, proprietary Method Books, Method Engine, and a revolutionary Method App.

SONGFIRST METHOD

Students are quickly assigned a song based on their skill level and unique interests. Using the song as a textbook, we reverse engineer the technical concepts they’ll need to play everything right. This keeps them excited to play real rock tunes without skipping the essentials they need to know.

CONCEPTS IN CONTEXT

To take their knowledge further, our instructors make sure to contextualize each song - understanding the artistry, songwriters, music theory, time period, history, cultural impact, etc., of each song. Additionally, we emphasize Rock music as an educational vehicle, not a lifestyle to be admired. So while we don’t pretend tough subjects didn’t happen, we make sure to emphasize healthy lifestyles and musical habits.

LANGUAGE LEARNING

We teach music like any other language - instead of lecturing on all the different terminology we need, we simply use it in the context it comes up throughout our private lessons and rehearsals. From our Rookies to House Band and Show Team students, this approach allows them to learn this unique language the same way you yourself taught your child to speak in infancy!

FIRST LESSON

SHOWING UP

You will need to ring the front buzzer when you arrive, our Studio Coordinators at the front door will buzz you in! As soon as you enter the school, head to the front desk and let them know you are here. They will give your student an enrollment packet, including their new “All Access” ID badge, and teach you how you will be signing in going forward using your badge. Your instructor will either come to the lobby to get your student, or find them in the student lounge.

DURING THE LESSON

IF YOUR LESSON IS WITH YOUR TRIAL LESSON TEACHER, then they will take a moment to get you reacclimated to the process before picking up right where they left off!
IF YOUR LESSON IS NOT WITH YOUR TRIAL LESSON TEACHER, then this lesson will function just like the trial! The instructor will take a few moments to talk about the music they’re interested in and just a general ‘get to know you’ discussion. Then the instructor will take some time to see what, if anything, the student knows and work together to set short and long term goals.

AFTER THE LESSON

When the lesson ends, the instructor will walk the student to the lobby. If you are in the lobby, the instructor will give you a brief review of the lesson and answer any questions you may have. You will be emailed a weekly lesson note noting what was done in the lesson, and a notification that an assignment has been sent in the Method App! There may not be an assignment after every single lesson, so make sure you keep an eye on those notifications.

FIRST ROCK 101/ROCK 201 REHEARSAL

The reason we’re here - rehearsals are the best place for students to learn how to rock out on stage and in life! Whether you’re starting from the start of a season or midway through, here is everything you need to know about your first rehearsal!

WHAT TO EXPECT

In Rock 101 and Rock 201, we are focused on giving kids equal stage time whenever possible. This cannot always happen, however. For a newer student who only knows one song, they might play a few less times in a standard Rock 101/ 201 rehearsal. The same holds true if we have an overabundance of one instrument. This does not mean your child will be sitting idle. We will get them involved by playing percussion or sometimes even learning songs on the fly. We also encourage kids to try things like singing backup vocals on a song. There are plenty of things to do and at no point does anyone need to be sitting doing nothing. Attitude and confidence are also extremely important to developing skills on your instrument. I encourage you to get your child to practice and be actively involved in their progress at home. This will have a direct and positive impact on what they are achieving at School of Rock.

We will have one “showcase” scheduled during the Rock 101 / 201 season around the end of the trimester. Parents, family, and friends will get a chance to come to a Rock 101 / 201 rehearsal and see what we have been working on. These dates will be announced a few weeks in advance.

WHAT TO BRING

All Students: hearing protection*, check-in badge, water bottle, notebook
Vocals: folder (with pockets for lyric sheets)
Keys: folder (with pockets for music sheets)
Guitar: guitar (with case), strap, no less than two picks, portable tuner, cable
Bass: bass (with case), strap, no less than two picks, portable tuner, cableDrums: pair of drumsticks

SHOWING UP

Now that you have your “All Access” ID badge, you will need to check-in at the front desk iPad kiosk for every visit. Sit in the front lobby or the Student Lounge until your rehearsal’s start time. At that time, you can head to the rehearsal space where your class takes place, either the Gallery Stage (upstairs) or Warehouse (downstairs)
If you are not sure which room your rehearsal is in, you can ask the front desk for help!

JOINING THE REHEARSAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON

There is no right or wrong time to join Rock 101 or Rock 201! These programs operate on a rolling basis, new students are regularly joining the class. Every student is a beginner and learning at their own pace.

MOVING UP TO PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

Eventually, students will be “Performance Ready” and ready to join our Performance Program, where they will get cast on songs in one of our themed shows (The Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc), and perform at real local rock venues! The amount of time it takes to become Performance Ready differs from student to student. As long as they’re consistently practicing and working on everything above, they’ll be rocking on stage in no time! We check in with our beginner programs at the end of every Performance season. At that time, students who are ready to move up to the Performance Program will receive an email from our Music Director, otherwise they keep rocking in 101/201 until they are ready!

Our Performance Program operates on a seasonal basis:

• Spring Season - January through May
• Summer Season - June through August
• Fall/Winter Season - September through December

(subject to change)