Be Epic!
School of Rock Students Learn to Rock On Stage and In Life!
By Amy Morgan
Playing a musical instrument used to be an American rite of passage. Today, School of Rock, located right across from Cornerstone Church at 109 Gallery Circle, provides a new, vibrant and fun way to learn. Students can study guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or singing as they bring their inner musician to life.
In today’s world, many kids are looking for community and real connection with other kids who share their interests. The unique School of Rock method fills that void for many SOR students. Each week, young rock stars take a private lesson on the instrument of their choice and participate in a band practice to use what they’re learning in the real-world setting of a rock band. This motivates student progress and provides the scenario for students to make real friends as they get ready to perform together in a big rock concert held three times a year. They learn to rock on stage and in life.
Sometimes parents think their child is too shy to perform, but owner Michele Patton has found that providing the right environment for kids to thrive helps them build confidence as they “find their tribe.” She added “In fact, that’s why my husband and I bought the school… We saw our son flourish there and wanted to provide that same positive experience to other families!”
“There’s nothing like the bond that‘s formed between bandmates,” she said. “The experience of playing and performing in our group music programs fosters an incredible band dynamic for our young rock stars and plants the seeds of lasting friendships.” Through being in a band, students also learn patience, camaraderie, responsibility, leadership and other skills that will help them be successful in other areas of their lives. “It all feeds into our motto,” Michele said, “Be You. Be Epic.” ​
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The School of Rock world-wide franchise was started in Philadelphia in 1998. San Antonio’s 4000-square-foot location, owned by Michele and her husband, Andrew, is the fifth largest school in the United States— and it provides some unique benefits to San Antonians. With nearly 400
students and 50 bands, Michele and Music Director Dave Taub carefully designed five distinct programs to account for varied cognitive, social and hand-eye coordination abilities students develop as they grow: Rookies (ages 4 to 7); Jr 101 (6 to 8); Rock 101 (7 to 11); Jr Performance (10 to 13); and Performance (13 to 18). There is also a First Act program for beginner teens (12 to 18). Each program provides a comfortable community environment for all age groups, where students learn and socialize with
their peers.
David Patton, who began singing and playing at three years old, works with his parents as House Band Director. He now plays 11 instruments (and counting) and teaches piano and singing. He’s grateful they kept the school open when the original owners wanted to sell. Now, side by side with the other 31 teachers at the school, he continues the legacy of the teachers who inspired him.
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Kids and parents alike seem to love School of Rock. “Even after a long day at school and then immediately going to School of Rock for his lesson and band rehearsal for almost two and a half hours, he is always excited to be there and learn in the environment they have created,” one parent said. The kids say School of Rock is much more fun than learning classical music or just taking lessons. One of the first songs (and most requested) students learn is “Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes, Michele said.
“Kids learn songs they grew up listening to with their parents in the car,” David added. “They may not know the name, but they recognize the tune, and it brings generations together.”
Students 12 and up can audition for the House Band, which performs at events in and around San Antonio. “I love that the House Band experience teaches the kids to give back to their community as they show off their musical ability,” Michele said. House Band members also can audition for School of Rock AllStars, in which students perform at well-known venues around the United States.
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“We’ve had a number of San Antonio students become AllStars,” Dave stated, and “that includes our House Band Director, David Patton.”
“The safety and comfort of our students is our number one priority,” Michele said. “We have a separate entrance for our youngest students (Rookies), and we also have a special space for them with child-sized instruments.” Charlene Taub, a master singer with the San Antonio Philharmonic and the Rookies Director, has invented multiple musical games with the Rookies staff to teach youngsters musical concepts.
“There’s nothing more gratifying than to hear my Rookies yell, ‘I get it!’” she said. For the bigger kids, you’ll find three rehearsal rooms (ear protection required), each outfitted with multiple drum sets, keyboards, guitar and bass amps and full PA systems. School of Rock also sports 13 private lesson rooms.
The school offers “Rock of Ages,” a program for older adults that features afternoon and late evening hours to fit adult lifestyles. For additional information about the fun that awaits and to schedule a trial lesson, call 210-341-7671 or fill out a contact request form at https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/sanantonio.
