SPRING 2025

Yacht Rock

Easy Listening. Dad Rock. The West Coast Sound. Whatever nomenclature you choose, Yacht Rock music has survived the test of time and has made an explosive, full-steam-ahead resurgence in today’s popular music. Mostly emerging from the late 70s to early 80s, Yacht Rock’s mellow moods and relaxing vibes overshadow the sublime musicianship and songwriting skills of artists like Steely Dan, Toto, Hall and Oates, The Doobie Brothers, Carole King, and many more. Steeped in jazz, R&B, and dense harmony theory, these songs feature collaborations between some of the best studio musicians in history. These enduring songs will surprise and challenge even the most advanced SoR student. There are multi-layered vocal harmonies for singers, jazz-inspired guitar parts and solos, legendary grooves for bassists and drummers, and intricate keyboard parts utilizing what were, at the time, innovative electric pianos and synthesizers. This is one of the most challenging shows in the School of Rock curriculum!

Pop Punk/Emo

In the 1990s, artists such as Green Day, Offspring, and Blink-182 achieved success by blending punk attitudes and influences with a more polished, melodic, commercially appealing sound than their often raw predecessors. By the 2000s, Pop Punk and its Emo offshoot (featuring lyrics that touch on emotional and confessional topics) were fully entrenched in the mainstream music world, with bands such as Fall Out Boy, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, and Panic! At the Disco topping the charts and selling out arenas. Of course, this music is still incredibly popular and influential today. A fun show that can be musically challenging but also teaches solid fundamental skills, Pop Punk & Emo is sure to appeal to all levels of students and will entertain any crowd!

MTV Unplugged

Is a television series that showcases recorded live performances of popular musical artists playing acoustic or "unplugged" variations of songs. Over the years, many famous artists and bands have performed on the show including Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Cure, Paul McCartney, Nirvana, The Police, STP, Oasis, Annie Lennox, Bob Dylan and more. This show offers a great chance for students to learn about the use of dynamics and different instrumentation in music.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal,rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. Drummers and bass players are sure to refine their sense of time and groove while participating in this show. Guitar players will realize the guitar is not only a lead instrument, but a dynamic rhythm instrument as well. Vocalists will be put to the test with the genre’s challenging rhythms and demanding stage presence. The RHCP show is an educational - and incredibly FUN - show choice for all experience levels!

Grunge

When Nirvana’s song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became an international sensation in late 1991, major record labels began searching feverishly for similar artists who could further capitalize on the massive interest in this new sound. The result was an abrupt shift away from the formulaic Pop and Hair Metal anthems of the 1980s to the gritty and dynamic music of Grunge. Bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Veruca Salt, Hole and Temple of the Dog drew from the influence of the underground rock and punk scene of the 1980s, and found quick success with music fans who were eager for new sounds and styles. Students of all instruments and experience levels can expect good challenges in this fun show.

Arena Rock

Arena Rock refers to the emergence of rock ‘n’ roll as big business in the 1970s and early 1980s. Advances in music production technology, along with the proliferation of higher fidelity FM radio stations, resulted in the arrival of a slicker, more commercial rock sound, popularized by bands such as Journey, Boston, Styx, Heart, Queen, Foreigner, Kansas, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon, Grand Funk Railroad, Toto, Cheap Trick, and more. These artists, and the growing music industry behind them, brought Rock ‘n’ Roll out of the clubs and into the arenas and stadiums. No matter the bands, the songs of the Arena Rock show are the true stars, and anyone who’s had the joy to sing along with this music in its intended environment will surely agree. This is catchy music that is meant to be turned up loud! Guitarists will find challenging parts lurking around every corner. Keyboard players will be showcased heavily. Vocalists will be challenged with belting leads and rich harmonies. Drummers will learn the true meaning of bombastic, over-the-top performances. Bass players will get their hands on powerful and melodic bass lines which compliment their 6-string counterparts. This is a great show for all instruments!

Taylor Swift vs Bruno Mars

Two of the most successful musical artists of all time, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars have inspired legions of fans and musicians around the world by writing compelling songs that draw from a remarkable variety of stylistic influences. This show will incorporate elements of Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Emo, Disco, Reggae and more, all tastefully arranged around well-crafted lyrics. They have sold more than 200 million records in their career, and have more than fifty Top-40 hits. This show is a great fit for all instruments and experience levels, and is not just a theme for up-and-coming vocalists because an incredible artist is at their best when supported by an incredible band.

Southern Metal

Is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the Southern United States. It combines elements of traditional heavy metal and sludge with Southern rock and blues. It is characterized by its heavy, distorted guitar riffs and aggressive vocals. Bands in this genre include, Pantera, Down, Marlene and the Sons of Disaster, Acid Bath, Crowbar, Exhorder, Corrosion of Conformity, He Is Legend, Norma Jean and more. If you’re looking to sharpen your shredding skills on guitar and bass, speed up your chops on the drums, or hone your aggressive scream - the Southern Metal show is for you!

We strive for well-balanced shows where all our students are challenged and get equal opportunity for parts. Please understand that factors such as attendance at rehearsals, behavior at rehearsals and musical preparation for rehearsals can affect the number of songs a student is assigned. The School of Rock method is merit based. While a show’s first casting is as equitable as possible, in subsequent castings we reward commitment, hard work and steady improvement.

We know many students have talents beyond the instruments they study at the school of Rock. We do our best to encourage (and show off) all our students’ abilities! However, students who take lessons on an instrument at school of Rock get priority casting on that instrument in shows. Students are guaranteed to be assigned parts only on instruments they are actively taking lessons at school of Rock. Depending on the makeup of the show’s cast, we may not be able to accommodate students who wish to perform on an instrument (including vocals) that they do not study at School of Rock. If your student is interested in studying an additional instrument, please reach out to discuss options