School of Rock Opens in Cary

Calling young rockers, here’s your chance to be schooled.

A local branch of School of Rock opens in Cary on Friday, June 15, at 835 Feinburg Ct., just north of Route 14.

The Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce plans a ribbon cutting ceremony for 10 a.m. Friday at the school. Later that day, the school will host an open house from 5 to 9 p.m. for the general public, during which time the School of Rock’s House Band from Chicago will lead an open jam.

The corporate-owned store, one of 80 nationwide, draws inspiration from the 2003 Jack Black movie of the same name. Students won’t just receive musical instruction at School of Rock, they’ll spend most of their time playing in a band.

“It’s all about the rock band experience and the music community,” said General Manager and Music Director Erik Grant.

The school’s slogan is, “Inspiring kids to rock on stage and in life.” Grant said he hopes to draw musicians from Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Barrington and Algonquin.

The Cary location will offer Rock Band 101 for beginning musicians. The course includes 1.5 hours of band rehearsal per week and a free one-on-one lesson with one of the school’s musical instructors, Grant said.

The school’s Performance Program is geared toward kids with intermediate to advanced musical skills. The course offers three hours of band rehearsal each week with a free lesson with an instructor. As part of the School of Rock’s curriculum, the bands will perform concerts at various venues in the community about every 12 to 14 weeks.

Grant said the new school also will provide Rock ‘n Roll Boot Camps starting June 25 and July 9. The weekly camps, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., give kids the same rock band experience.

“They’ll learn some songs, and do a concert at the end,” Grant said.

The Cary school has already held auditions for its House Band, a free rock band program offered to top-notch students. Grant said he will announce the four scholarship winners at the Open House on Friday. However, he is still in need of a lead singer, he said.

More information about the new school is available at School of Rock/ Cary .