AMS-School of Rock in the Heartland

In 2003, Jack Black starred as a rock musician named Dewey Finn who was kicked out his old band. Black's roommate was a struggling substitute teacher. One day, a call comes in for a teaching job at a nearby prep school. Black's character pretends he is his roommate and takes the job. He soon fashions a working band out of his class, assigning the students instrumental, vocal, and administrative jobs. Black soon draws the ire of school administration, and almost loses the gig. But the students rally behind their teacher and the band competes in a "Battle of the Bands" contest against Black's old band.

While the movie spawned many imitators, the idea had been initiated before. In 1998, Paul Green founded his School of Rock which goes to this day.

Now, in the heartland of America, Al Biela head instructor of Ames Music Studios, has created a new School of Rock. In October and November of 2006, area students signed up to be grouped into several bands based on relative age and similar tastes in music styles. The students receive practical instruction in:

• playing together as a band
• each individual's role in the band (the 100% rule)
• how to start and stop songs
• how to think creatively in playing a cover song
• song selection
• equipment selection
• rehearsal techniques
• rock music appreciation
• band promotion (logos, band names, etc)
• live performance

Each group chooses 3 songs from a list of 8-10 tunes in the style of their choosing. Songs are available from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Queen, Cream, all the way up to newer bands like Switchfoot and Green Day. The faculty helps them prepare the songs; at first they memorize them by listening and playing off of charts. By the 3rd week or so, the students are expected to memorize the tunes so they can practice interacting as a band. Along the way, they are learning valuable lessons about music, teamwork, and performance.

Rehearsals are underway now (October - November 2006). Biela hopes this event will be a great success for the kids, and may continue it in the future. Parental involvement has been really great so far; the community is very supportive. The event will culminate in a full public concert near the end of the November, complete with lighting, professional sound and video. Full regional coverage can be found via the links below.