For most musically inclined kids, the idea of performing live, organizing a band and going on tour is reserved for fantasies. This is especially true in a city like Louisville, where music industry connections are few and far between. For the dozens of teens who participate on School of Rock Louisville’s show team, however, that rockstar fantasy isn’t too far off from their daily lives. These students, already with a decent amount of training under their belts, are able to simultaneously develop their skills in weekly classes while putting on live performances at local venues over the weekend. The experience has inspired many students to pursue music as a career, with graduates of the program going on to become award-winning artists, producers and performers.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, one of School of Rock Louisville’s show teams took the stage at Magnolia Bar and Grill in Old Louisville for a three hour show and open mic. The venue, a hidden gem only discoverable through a door in the back of the bar’s eclectic interior, is known for its intense rock and metal performances. Its small size magnifies the energy of its performers, whose raw vocals and blaring guitar riffs echo off the graffiti-stained brick walls.
Although the show’s attendance was limited, consisting mostly of parents and friends, the young musicians performed with enthusiasm appropriate for an arena. A total of 15 students performed in the official show, with seven more teens and pre-teens unaffiliated with School of Rock appearing during the open mic portion, during which attendees were invited on stage to sing a song of their choosing. They rotated out in groups of six to nine, covering songs by well-known alternative bands like System of a Down and Foo Fighters. When offstage, the performers and their friends stood in a crowd on the floor, singing along and dancing to the music of their peers. This supportive attitude is what many of the students said drew them to the program, and why they continue to love it so much.
“Everybody is automatically friends because we all have one thing in common, and it’s music,” says Allie Rock, a junior at Eastern High School and keyboard player for School of Rock.
Kate Brotzge, a singer for the show team and senior at North Oldham High School, echoes the sentiment.
“Every time I go on stage, I know I’m gonna have a good time. And we’re such a great tight-knit group that it’s always amazing,” Brotzge said, describing the team’s weeklong tour, which they embarked on last summer, as a source of bonding.
Unique opportunities like this tour are another reason why students keep coming back to School of Rock. For many, it’s the only place where they can develop their talents and meet music-savvy peers. Sam Smith and Noah O’Brien, a junior and freshman respectively at Trinity High School, say that musical opportunities at their school are limited. Smith, a drummer for School of Rock, participates in his high school’s liturgy band, although he says this pursuit doesn’t truly allow him to express his full abilities. Along with participating in School of Rock, both students also have their own independent bands: Rattlesnake Pasta (Smith), a self-described “funk-metal/prog trio,” and Underground Warning (O’Brien), which specializes in grunge music.
Melanie Scofield, School of Rock Louisville’s owner and general manager, says that her main goal for students is for them to “have the full experience.”
“Not just playing alone and doing lesson after lesson after lesson after lesson, but really using their music and bringing it to life, and making it a part of their lives,” Scofield said.
She first got involved in School of Rock as a parent, and after seeing her son thrive within the program, she decided to become a franchise owner. Although not a music teacher herself, she is an advocate for youth arts education and former member of the Illinois Arts Alliance.
“It’s a lifelong gift really being able to play a musical instrument, and also being able to play with other people. It’s something that you’ll take with you your entire life,” Scofield said.
While not all School of Rock Students will continue pursuing music in the future, she hopes that the experience the program provides them will last them a lifetime.
