At The Village School, art and music are an important part of many students’ lives. At a school that encourages students to pursue their passions and interests, many have found an interest in learning an instrument and performing. However, picking up such a skill can be a complex and difficult, albeit rewarding, journey. Music education, from a small tutor to an organized musical institute like Yamaha, plays an integral role in supporting people from all facets of life in their musical journeys. But getting these lessons takes time and money, money and motivation, all of which are hard to come by. When you’re as busy as a high school student, it can be difficult to commit to picking up an instrument or musical hobby when that entails finding the time to learn, a teacher that matches your vibe and the willingness to actually practice.
Fortunately, the Houston area is packed with opportunities to start your musical journey, one such being the School of Rock. Founded in 1998, this US-based music program breaks the mold of traditional music education. Rather than simply focusing on improving your instrumentation or theory, they aim to equip students with everything from raw musical skill, to teamwork, to confidence. Their mission is to focus on preparing students for performance and the real world music scene by offering a diverse and flexible curriculum centred around the students interests, and they offer everything from typical music lessons to songwriting and production courses, to, most famously, their group band classes.
These classes are relatively affordable, with flexible prices depending on what programs you participate in and your schedule, however, prices range between $150 (for private lessons and tutoring) – $350 (for group lessons and performance bands) a month on average, where four classes included each month (one a week), with summer camp prices varying. And unlike traditional music institutions, which are often geared towards younger kids and have long term programs that want you starting at a young age, School of Rock is open to and accommodating to students of any age.
Fun, flexible and accessible, School of Rock is considered a great place for novices and experienced musicians alike to learn and grow, but what is it exactly about their program that makes the school so special? The highlight of the school is their performance band and group lessons. There, a group of students of a similar age range get together under the guidance of an instructor, and practice a selection of songs under a genre or theme of their choice.
“I joined looking for an opportunity to continue my voice lessons after moving here,” said sophomore Lara Guedez Ponce, a student at The Village School and year-long School of Rock participant at the nearby Memorial location. “ I thought that this would not only be able to provide voice lessons, but it’d be a way to sing with a band– to sing with other people– and actually perform.” The ultimate goal is to get the students ready to perform, as a band, and the school offers them the opportunity to do so at real rock venues booked through the school. Each group lasts for a few months, with two performances per group. A typical student is encouraged to participate in the performance band as well as doing one private lesson in the instrument of their choice.
This mixed-medium learning style is the highlight of what makes School of Rock so special. “I really love the way it functions,” said Ponce. “The way that they teach provides people with a lot of in-depth, flexible knowledge. For example, someone who is learning the guitar could quickly pick up and start playing a song on the drums. And you can go from nothing to performing in a year, which is fantastic.” The school’s focus is on helping you do what you want to do, when you want to do it, whatever that may be. Instead of focusing on perfecting a single instrument, students get to develop a range of skills in a variety of different contexts, something essential in the music world.
What is probably the highlight of the school is its community. “The people are great; they’re incredibly nice,” Ponce adds. “The teachers are great, the students are great– there are no egotistical students, which is often an issue when you’re working with a lot of talented people. And, the vibe is great.” Whether you’re in a band, or just visit for weekly lessons, a key focus of School of Rock is cultivating a fun and laid-back environment for people to hang and thrive in. Between the lessons, the rehearsals and the performances, it’s hard not to make friends and have fun. It’s not just education, it’s connections and community.
The musical journey looks different for everyone, but at School of Rock, the student gets to take charge, with lessons and an environment tailored to your interests and musical goals. So, whether you want to see yourself on stage by the end of the summer or are just looking for a chill place to practice your instrument, School of Rock– between its environment, its prices and its unique teaching style– is a worthwhile place to check out and enjoy the show.
