School of Rock Rochester Interview – About School of Rock Rochester, an Oakland County Moms interview with School of Rock Rochester Music Director Peter LeClair.
The School of Rock itself is actually a huge house in downtown Rochester. The entire house was renovated and all the rooms are now private studios or session-rooms. Drum sets, guitars, amps, recording equipment and other instruments dot the various rooms and the school is decorated like a rock star’s dream studio!
I sat down with School of Rock Music Director Peter LeClair at the school recently to ask him all about it.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What ages does School of Rock cater to?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – Typically we say 8-18. We do take kids younger than 8 but we look for real dedication if the kids are younger than 8.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – What is the beginning skill level?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – We accept kids with both some ability and absolutely no musical ability.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms –Do they provide their own instruments?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – Yes, drummers typically just bring sticks. We have drums here they can use but we expect them to have their own kits at home to practice on. Same goes with guitars and bass guitars. We have amps here but they bring their own guitars.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – How big is the stage you guys use for the final show?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – We have done our last 2 season shows at the Crowfoot Ballroom (Pontiac). It holds about 1,500 people.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – Does the school run on a semester basis?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – Yes. Typically about 12-15 weeks. Once a week for a 45 minute private lesson and once per week for a 3 hour band rehearsal. Right now every kid in our school is either in the Aerosmith Band, the Women Who Rock Band (Joan Jett, Pat Benatar or Janis Joplin music) or the Gods of Metal Band which features Metallica, Judas Priest or Megadeth.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – How many kids are in each session?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – Each band has 15-25 kids. The way it works is that typically there are 4-7 kids on stage at a time. For Aerosmith there are 4-7 kids on stage for “Walk This Way” and then they jump off and then there are 4-7 kids for “Sweet Emotion.”
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – How much is tuition?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – It’s $250 a month. That runs 3-4 months and goes all the way until the final exam which is the concert.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – Do a lot of the students come back?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – Absolutely! We have a huge rollover! By the time the show is up, they’re exited to come back again for the next (season) semester. Most of the students who enroll, stay. We’ve just finished up Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and Glam Rock shows.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – Do you ever have a kid that has stage fright and won’t go on-stage at the end?
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – We see that with our adults and not our kids. We offer an adult program as well and the adults are more scared to perform than the kids. A lot of kids might be frightened during the first season but when they finish that first show, it’s amazing how they break through. You see kids grow so quickly and it’s amazing.
Glen LaGrou of Oakland County Moms – I wonder how much that confidence transfers into other aspects of their lives.
Peter LeClair School of Rock Rochester Music Director – I absolutely see that come into play here! Everything they get in their live experience and their rehearsal experience transfers over to school, social life, auditions, filling out resumes, forming their own bands… Absolutely!
School of Rock Rochester
415 Walnut Blvd
Rochester, MI 48307
http://rochester.schoolofrock.com/
248-726-9787
