December 2023 NEWSLETTER

It's December and we are full of holiday cheer!

Brrr, sweater weather has definitely arrived...and our Fall 2023 Performance Program is well under way!!

We are nearing the mid-way point of the Fall season, if you can believe it. Each of our four show themes are progressing well and are right where they need to be at this point of the season. Each has had a few rounds of castings and the material cast in the first couple are sounding great. Each show, The Rolling Stones, CBGB, Aretha Franklin and Soundgarden has its challenges but we are confident that come February they are gonna make you wanna pogo, mosh, show off your moves like Jagger and get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T on the dance floor.

Silver Spring Adult PP Fall 2023 Announcement

The kids can't have all the fun...

Adult Performance Program Fall 2023

Our Adult Performance Program The Beatles group has an ever growing set list for their show in February. We are super excited that they have a newly released Beatles song Now And Then to work on. Who saw that coming?!

“There's nothing you can do that can't be done / Nothing you can sing that can't be sung / Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game / It's easy”

If you have never played with other musicians and want a safe space to learn how, our Adult Rock 101 class is a great place to start and can serve as a stepping stone to next season's Adult Performance Program. We are currently seeking those interested in taking your playing to the next level, contact us at silverspring@schoolofrock.com.

We've got a lot to be grateful for at school of Rock

Gratefulsgiving

Last month we celebrated the spirit of the season with our GRATEFULSGIVING Pot Luck dinners during Performance Program rehearsals. At first, a funny juxtaposition of tie dye, skeletons, dancing bears and autumnal decor, we pumped some Grateful Dead through the speakers in the lounge area and it all started to make a little more sense. We had a great spread of both sweet (Cherry Garcia ice cream and cookies decorated with Stealies) and savory items to be thankful for. It was fun exposing the students to a band they might not know a lot about and we enjoyed explaining why our turkey hand tree topper was made the way it was (Jerry Garcia was missing his middle finger). It was such a festive experience, we might just make this a tradition going forward.

House Band Holiday Shows

Our House Band had a fantastic time playing some holiday hits at this year's Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. We are always excited to play the parade every year and the experience of playing on a float moving through Downtown Silver Spring is one of the highlights of the year for the band. Despite the early call time and chilly temperatures, House Band rocked out and got the whole city in the holiday spirit!

If you missed House Band in the parade, don't worry! We'll be back playing some holiday hits in Downtown Silver Spring on December 16th at 3PM for the annual Sounds of the Season concert series. This hour long set will be the first show with our new band lineup after auditions, so come see House Band at the stage in Ellsworth Plaza in DTSS and bring your holiday cheer!

2023-2024 House Band Announcement

On November 12th auditions were held for our 2023-2024 House Band. The audition process this year was proof of the rising levels of musicianship across the board at School of Rock Silver Spring. Along with Music Director Brooks Owens, our panel of judges included the Music Director from SoR Vienna, Dante Dalton and our Region Director, Travis Adams. Auditions are not easy and we are extremely proud of the effort and passion each individual demonstrated through the process. Without further adieu, Our 2023-2024 House Band and JV House Band Line ups.

HOUSE BAND MEMBERS:
Ben F.*, Declan W.*, Ella H., Josey M.*, London L., Marie M., Marz F., Sam G.*, V M., Von A., Zion A.*

JV HOUSE BAND MEMBERS:
Adam A., Alicia F., Avraam M., Charlie P.-C., Dennis M.*, Em S., John M., Julian P., Julius R., Katherine O., Leonardo L., Madz M., Makoa S.

*Denotes Seniors

Congratulations to you all! We look forward to seeing what you can do this year!!

What's on their wish list?

Give the gift of Rock this Holiday Season

Has your rocker wanted to take an addition lesson on an instrument they'd like to try? Had a blast at camp last summer, and want to do it again? This season, tell them to give the gift of Rock. School of Rock gift certificates can be purchased for a particular amount or for a specific experience.

Click Here To Purchase

Student spotlight

Maya C.

Maya is a pretty recent addition to School of Rock having just started drum lessons with Matt at the beginning of October. He tells us that it is apparent how hard she is working and she is taking her new practice quite seriously. By making steady progress like this, we think she'll be ready for a Rock 101 in no time.

Now for a little Q&A with Maya

You started taking lessons with School of Rock just a few months ago, how is it going so far?

I like it. It's fun so far.

What made you want to play drums?

I wanted to learn an instrument. I'm always just tapping on things so I thought its probably a natural progression.

Are you interested in other instruments?

I took piano lessons when I was much younger with my twin but we just stopped at some point. I have a keyboard at home and I play with it some times but when I got to making chords, I thought this is too much. I don't know how to do this. Maybe someday I'll want to take lessons again.

Are you planning to join a Rock 101 class ?

I think so. It's a little intimidating but I want to. It's the reason why I wanted to come here.

What are your musical influences, favorite bands or artists?

Oh, well my Spotify Wrapped list for the year says my top artists are Paramore, Hippocampus and Lorde.

What advice do you have for new students?

Practice, obviously. And I guess try to find happiness in whatever it is you are doing. Even if it is annoying or hard. Just try to have fun doing it.

What do you like most about SOR?

I like the vibe around here. There a lot going on. Good vibes.

Is that snow?

Inclement Weather

We do not follow area school closures. On the day in question, we will determine if our staff can come in and return home safely, particularly for groups. Often the timing of the storm allows us to continue our in person operations. If you feel the roads are not safe, you may opt to take your lesson online for that day, just let us know. We will post on our social media pages if we are moving online and send an email if there changes to the in person lessons or groups on that day. I you have a question, email us, check our programs site, social media, or give us a call before you head out.

Winter Break

We are coming to the end of another amazing year here at School of Rock Silver Spring. We will be closed from December 24th - January 1st for rest, relaxation, and time to spend with family and friend. We will resume Lessons and Rehearsals on Tuesday, January 2nd.

NOTES FROM THE MOTHERSHIP

with Music Director Brooks Owens

YOUR PROCESS- We're right in the middle of both the show season and the school year, so now is a great time to examine your workflow and how you manage your time. Balancing school and music can be tricky and even overwhelming sometimes, so it's important to develop a process that will set you up for success. Think about how long it takes you to usually learn a song, how many songs you have to work on, and when you have to work on them. Plan ahead to see when you'll have time to practice this week. Work ethic and time management are some of the most important skills that a professional musician has and can be helpful tools to make you successful within any program at School of Rock.