Preschoolers Learn Music in School of Rock's New Program

Waylon Rector concluded his School of Rock program with a performance. 

School of Rock is starting a 10-week program for 4- and 5-year-olds beginning in September to get children involved and interested in music at an early age. The 45-minute sessions will take place once a week on Fridays. Kids will learn the foundations of rhythms through games, like playing the rhythm of the song “We Will Rock You” on their knees. The classes of 6-10 students foster learning in a group atmosphere, which gives the children a chance to learn from each other and to make new friends. 

The approach is to teach the students theory through songs, instead of starting with theory to learn the songs like most schools teach. Nirvana, The Who, and Led Zeppelin are just a few of the classic rock bands that students will learn play with ease. Once the students are comfortable reading and playing music, they are put on stage at the end of the program with their peers to play in front of crowds. 

“The performances and shows at the end of the season are the highlight of the experience for the students. They put everything they learned together, and [it] gives them something to strive for,” says Patrick Castania, general manager of the School of Rock in Farmingdale.