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Turn the power up: School of Rock opens in the Philippines
(Updated 4:46 p.m., 26 June 2013) A new music school has started making noise, literally.
At School of Rock, which just opened in Greenhills Shopping Center, kids play songs by legends such as The Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Queen. And instead of the typical recital (that—let’s face it—could get boring if your kid is not the one onstage), students hold a rock concert where they shred the electric guitar and wail like Daltrey.
The school was set up by friends and music lovers Nino Caruncho IV, Parkin Chiu and Benjamin Go, Jr., who decided they wanted a business that had something to do with music.
After two years of talks with the School of Rock USA office and a training in Chicago, the first Asian franchise of the school was born.
Many may wonder if it was inspired by "School of Rock," the Richard Linklater movie. It wasn't—the school was established some years before the film came out.
The school offers courses in guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, and drums to kids as young as 7.
The teachers are professional musicians who share their stage experiences with their students. “We believe the best way to learn music is to perform music. Students learn from professional musicians that take them from the lesson room to the stage, develop both their confidence and musicianship through weekly private lessons and group rehearsals with the ultimate goal of performing live in front of real crowds in an authentic rock concert setting,” says Caruncho.
The lessons start with “School of Rock 101,” four 45-minute private lessons and four 90-minute group session (or nine hours at P5,000) where the students learn the basics—technique, music theory, and the dynamics of playing in a group.
They then move on to the “Performance Program,” the heart and soul of the school, which consists of four 45-minute one-on-one sessions and four 3-hour rehearsal sessions (or 15 hours at P6,500) as well as a real rock ‘n’ roll performance in front of an audience. The student gigs would often have themes, such as British Invasion or Women in Rock.
With the goal of building friendship and camaraderie among its students, the school also has a students' lounge where the kids can hang out and watch concert videos in between classes.
“We believe that School of Rock can unleash the musical potential of kids in an environment where they’re having fun, meeting new friends and learning about teamwork,” says Chiu.
The school is planning courses for even younger kids—a preschool program introducing toddlers to music will be starting soon.
The school already has 20 students since its soft opening in May, including a 5-year-old drummer.
But rocking is not just for the kids. If Mick and Keith can still do it as they enter their 70s, then adults who have not yet let go of their rock 'n roll dreams can enrol in the classes as well—the school offers an Adult Performance Program (four 45-minute one-on-one sessions and four 2-hour rehearsal sessions, or 11 hours in total for P6,500)—and rock out in an actual concert, just like they've always dreamed of since they were young themselves. — BM, GMA News
For more information about School of Rock, call 0922-834-2455, go to its Facebook page and website, or email philippines@schoolofrock.ph
Photos courtesy of the School of Rock
At School of Rock, which just opened in Greenhills Shopping Center, kids play songs by legends such as The Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Queen. And instead of the typical recital (that—let’s face it—could get boring if your kid is not the one onstage), students hold a rock concert where they shred the electric guitar and wail like Daltrey.
The school was set up by friends and music lovers Nino Caruncho IV, Parkin Chiu and Benjamin Go, Jr., who decided they wanted a business that had something to do with music.After two years of talks with the School of Rock USA office and a training in Chicago, the first Asian franchise of the school was born.
Many may wonder if it was inspired by "School of Rock," the Richard Linklater movie. It wasn't—the school was established some years before the film came out.
The school offers courses in guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, and drums to kids as young as 7.
The teachers are professional musicians who share their stage experiences with their students. “We believe the best way to learn music is to perform music. Students learn from professional musicians that take them from the lesson room to the stage, develop both their confidence and musicianship through weekly private lessons and group rehearsals with the ultimate goal of performing live in front of real crowds in an authentic rock concert setting,” says Caruncho.
The lessons start with “School of Rock 101,” four 45-minute private lessons and four 90-minute group session (or nine hours at P5,000) where the students learn the basics—technique, music theory, and the dynamics of playing in a group.
They then move on to the “Performance Program,” the heart and soul of the school, which consists of four 45-minute one-on-one sessions and four 3-hour rehearsal sessions (or 15 hours at P6,500) as well as a real rock ‘n’ roll performance in front of an audience. The student gigs would often have themes, such as British Invasion or Women in Rock.
With the goal of building friendship and camaraderie among its students, the school also has a students' lounge where the kids can hang out and watch concert videos in between classes.“We believe that School of Rock can unleash the musical potential of kids in an environment where they’re having fun, meeting new friends and learning about teamwork,” says Chiu.
The school is planning courses for even younger kids—a preschool program introducing toddlers to music will be starting soon.
The school already has 20 students since its soft opening in May, including a 5-year-old drummer.
But rocking is not just for the kids. If Mick and Keith can still do it as they enter their 70s, then adults who have not yet let go of their rock 'n roll dreams can enrol in the classes as well—the school offers an Adult Performance Program (four 45-minute one-on-one sessions and four 2-hour rehearsal sessions, or 11 hours in total for P6,500)—and rock out in an actual concert, just like they've always dreamed of since they were young themselves. — BM, GMA News
For more information about School of Rock, call 0922-834-2455, go to its Facebook page and website, or email philippines@schoolofrock.ph
Photos courtesy of the School of Rock
