A Parents Perspective
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| Rock n' Roll High School |
A program for the East Valley's young musicians to meet, practice and perform!
| 480 786 5310 |
My Child’s Musical Education: A Parents Perspective
I was a sports dad. Growing up I Played whatever sport was in season and when I
had children, I put them in local youth sports programs. I coached my kids’ teams
and even became Director of Leagues for the Little League. For over 40 years I was
involved as either a player, coach, league official or father in the sports world.
As for my experience in music, I played the tonette in 6th grade. I also like going to
rock concerts, especially the Rolling Stones. In other words , I don't know anything g
about music except whether I like a certain song or not. I don’t even know a crash
cymbal from a ride cymbal.
All that has changed, however. My 14 year old son, Jarred. Likes to play the drums
more than hit a baseball. He plays them all the time, in fact. In my garage, at school,
in his room (though that’s usually Rock Band or Guitar Hero or something like that).
And being a modern father who want to encourage hi son to develop his (obviously
not inherited fro me) talents, I have enrolled him with a top notch private instructor
where he gets private lessons an hour a week. From what I can tell when he plays
along with AC/DC or Green Day in my garage, he’s turned into a pretty darn good
drummer.
And that’s the problem. The ONLY time I hear him play the drums is in my garage.
After a year of private instruction, I asked Jared’s drum teacher, “Jeff. I’ve paid you
over $1,500 in the past year, when do I start getting feedback?” When Jeff mentioned
the school’s concert band I told him Jared’s been in it the past 2+ years and that 3
times a year my wife Lori, and I go sit with hundreds of other parents and relatives
and listen to our kid play 3 song with 80 or so other kids. We swear that sometimes,
if we listen carefully, we can even tell which one he is!
Next Jeff suggested the High School Marching Band (Jared's a freshmen this year). I
told him that it was a great program but , once again he’d be one of many, the song
list was limited and , as a drummer, he’d only be playing one percussion instrument
rather than the whole drum set (not to mention the tremendous time and money
investment required).
Getting frustrated , I said, “Jeff, Jared wants to play the whole drum set in a small
band! He wants to play AC/DC, the Who, Green Day! He wants to play rock! And Lori
and I want to be able to watch him once in a while! Where can he do that?”
I was stunned when Jeff said no place! The kids who wanted to play ion a rock band
were left to fine each other and play in whatever garage they could find! He even
looked on Craig's List and found a 15 year old vocalists looking go join a band.
The thought of my, or anyone else’s child trolling for band mates on the Internet
made my skin crawl. The thought that these was no resource for our kids to play the
type of music the wanted tom play, in a small band, under organized and supervised
an safe conditions was unbelievable to me. Jeff agreed and said that was an
ongoing frustration for his as well. Sure , there are the expensive schools for the elite
few, but nothing for the majority of kids who just wanted to have fun and play music
like the groups they see and hear on TV and on the radio.
I was a sports dad. Growing up I Played whatever sport was in season and when I
had children, I put them in local youth sports programs. I coached my kids’ teams
and even became Director of Leagues for the Little League. For over 40 years I was
involved as either a player, coach, league official or father in the sports world.
As for my experience in music, I played the tonette in 6th grade. I also like going to
rock concerts, especially the Rolling Stones. In other words , I don't know anything g
about music except whether I like a certain song or not. I don’t even know a crash
cymbal from a ride cymbal.
All that has changed, however. My 14 year old son, Jarred. Likes to play the drums
more than hit a baseball. He plays them all the time, in fact. In my garage, at school,
in his room (though that’s usually Rock Band or Guitar Hero or something like that).
And being a modern father who want to encourage hi son to develop his (obviously
not inherited fro me) talents, I have enrolled him with a top notch private instructor
where he gets private lessons an hour a week. From what I can tell when he plays
along with AC/DC or Green Day in my garage, he’s turned into a pretty darn good
drummer.
And that’s the problem. The ONLY time I hear him play the drums is in my garage.
After a year of private instruction, I asked Jared’s drum teacher, “Jeff. I’ve paid you
over $1,500 in the past year, when do I start getting feedback?” When Jeff mentioned
the school’s concert band I told him Jared’s been in it the past 2+ years and that 3
times a year my wife Lori, and I go sit with hundreds of other parents and relatives
and listen to our kid play 3 song with 80 or so other kids. We swear that sometimes,
if we listen carefully, we can even tell which one he is!
Next Jeff suggested the High School Marching Band (Jared's a freshmen this year). I
told him that it was a great program but , once again he’d be one of many, the song
list was limited and , as a drummer, he’d only be playing one percussion instrument
rather than the whole drum set (not to mention the tremendous time and money
investment required).
Getting frustrated , I said, “Jeff, Jared wants to play the whole drum set in a small
band! He wants to play AC/DC, the Who, Green Day! He wants to play rock! And Lori
and I want to be able to watch him once in a while! Where can he do that?”
I was stunned when Jeff said no place! The kids who wanted to play ion a rock band
were left to fine each other and play in whatever garage they could find! He even
looked on Craig's List and found a 15 year old vocalists looking go join a band.
The thought of my, or anyone else’s child trolling for band mates on the Internet
made my skin crawl. The thought that these was no resource for our kids to play the
type of music the wanted tom play, in a small band, under organized and supervised
an safe conditions was unbelievable to me. Jeff agreed and said that was an
ongoing frustration for his as well. Sure , there are the expensive schools for the elite
few, but nothing for the majority of kids who just wanted to have fun and play music
like the groups they see and hear on TV and on the radio.
So we decided to do something about that.
Combining Jeff’s vast musical experience with my extensive back ground in youth
sports, we create Rock n’ Roll High School!.......A completely new approach to music
education organized under the model of youth sport leagues.
Most people have their kids in some youth sport organization, be it baseball, soccer,
swimming or what have you, so the concept should be familiar.
Little League Baseball has a “season”…..Rock n’ Roll High School has a “semester”
Little league has tryouts …………...Rock n’ Roll High School has auditions.
Little League has divisions based on age and talent…....Rock n’ Roll High School
has divisions based on musical genre, age and talent.
Little League has supervised practices on a league field………..Rock n’ Roll high
School has supervised practices in a studio.
Little League has regular games…..Rock n’ Roll High School has regular
performances on a local stage.
Little league has playoffs at the end on the season ..….Rock n” Roll High School has
a Battle of The Bands at the end of the semester or year.
There is one fundamental difference between Rock n’ Roll High School and youth
sports: Rock n' Roll High School is designed strictly for FUN! And not competition.
Performances are strictly for the enjoyment of the musicians and their families and
friends. Requests by students or parents to have friend or siblings play in the same
band are not only honored but encouraged. Band can choose what ever name they
want, be it Blink 182, the Beatles or Jared’s Jammers. Like Little League, each band
will be “managed’ by an experienced parent and professional instructors in each
major instrument, including vocals, will be on staff to assist in the band’s musical
development.
What we hope, is that what we’ve created here is a place where out kids can develop
their musical talents in a safe and supervised environment. A place were the
average kid can experience “being in a band.” A place where parents can watch their
kids play and actually hear them!
A place where everyone can have fun!
Combining Jeff’s vast musical experience with my extensive back ground in youth
sports, we create Rock n’ Roll High School!.......A completely new approach to music
education organized under the model of youth sport leagues.
Most people have their kids in some youth sport organization, be it baseball, soccer,
swimming or what have you, so the concept should be familiar.
Little League Baseball has a “season”…..Rock n’ Roll High School has a “semester”
Little league has tryouts …………...Rock n’ Roll High School has auditions.
Little League has divisions based on age and talent…....Rock n’ Roll High School
has divisions based on musical genre, age and talent.
Little League has supervised practices on a league field………..Rock n’ Roll high
School has supervised practices in a studio.
Little League has regular games…..Rock n’ Roll High School has regular
performances on a local stage.
Little league has playoffs at the end on the season ..….Rock n” Roll High School has
a Battle of The Bands at the end of the semester or year.
There is one fundamental difference between Rock n’ Roll High School and youth
sports: Rock n' Roll High School is designed strictly for FUN! And not competition.
Performances are strictly for the enjoyment of the musicians and their families and
friends. Requests by students or parents to have friend or siblings play in the same
band are not only honored but encouraged. Band can choose what ever name they
want, be it Blink 182, the Beatles or Jared’s Jammers. Like Little League, each band
will be “managed’ by an experienced parent and professional instructors in each
major instrument, including vocals, will be on staff to assist in the band’s musical
development.
What we hope, is that what we’ve created here is a place where out kids can develop
their musical talents in a safe and supervised environment. A place were the
average kid can experience “being in a band.” A place where parents can watch their
kids play and actually hear them!
A place where everyone can have fun!
upcoming shows
Bands that need
members
members
Monster Murphy
Bass Needed!
Ages: 14-15
Playing: Green Day, AC/DC,
modern rock, and originals!
Barely December
Lead Guitar and Bass
Needed!
Ages: 15-16
Playing: Modern Rock
Call for details!
480 786 5310
Bass Needed!
Ages: 14-15
Playing: Green Day, AC/DC,
modern rock, and originals!
Barely December
Lead Guitar and Bass
Needed!
Ages: 15-16
Playing: Modern Rock
Call for details!
480 786 5310
