How Does AOR Work?
On the first day of class, all enrolled students are seperated into rock bands determined by skill level, choice of instrument, preferred style of music and/or friends who want to play together. Almost immediately, we begin teaching each band how to play their first song, which has been selected by their AOR instructor. As the students progress, bands begin selecting songs to add to their set list that will be performed at the various rock concerts held during the semester (see Events for more info) . The better a band works together, the more songs are learned, and the longer set each band can play. As students evolve in AOR, they may want try our Blues classes, or put a band together for Original Bands, or get involved with our Direct Input class in Special Projects.

Is Any Experience Necessary?
Academy of Rock is set up to offer classes for every skill level. Just read the descriptions of each class and decide which one might work best for you. If you need advice on the best class, don’t hesitate to contact us and we can help to guide you to a starting point in the program.

Do I Need An Instrument To Sign Up?
We prefer that if you already own an instrument that you also bring it.  However, if you don’t own an instrument, we have everything you need right here in class. In AOR, we also suggest not buying a first instrument until you know for sure which instrument you like best or that you are 100% committed to owning, taking care of, and practicing that instrument. Don’t be afraid to ask the instructors for advice on the best places to buy an instrument and the best kinds of instruments to buy for each skill level.

What Do I Need To Bring:
Everything listed here is recommended but optional. AOR will provide what we can but are limited in the number of resources available.

• Instrument – bring your own if you have it. Don’t worry about drumsets though unless you love hauling it around!
• Instrument Cases – if you love your instrument, you’ll take good care of it and haul it around in a protective case.
• Instrument Cables – We provide these, but it’s a good idea to have your own and use it when you play.
• Instrument Tuners – Have one of these, tune often, and sound awesome. You’ll be tuning a lot!
• Picks – EVERY guitarist should have an altoids box in their pocket full of picks.
• Strings – You will break a string. The question is when? So, you’ll need to bring strings.
• Drum Sticks – Drummers should be twirling these things around always. Carry them with you to class!
• Drum Key – Every Drummer should learn how to tune drums and needs to have a drum key.
• Optional for drummers – If you want, bring your own snare, cymbals, stands, and pedal. We know you’re picky.
• HEARING PROTECTION IS MANDATORY - This Fall it will be mandatory to wear hearing protection to participate in Academy of Rock. It is the responsibility of each person to provide their own hearing protection and remember to bring it and wear it in each class. Students without hearing protection will not be allowed to participate. HOWEVER, we do have great hearing protection avaible for purchase. You may order reusable, high quality Earlove.net hearing protection at a reduced rate through AOR. We will also have disposable protection available for a small fee.

Is Financial Assistance Available?

• Family/Multi Class Discount – Here’s how this works, if you sign up for more than one class in AOR, your second class is 50%. That’s a pretty great deal. We do that because we want you to be able to sign up for as many classes as you want! The same is true for the Family Discount… After the first class, per household, each additional class is 50%.. So if you have two kids in the program, the first kid is full rate and your second child’s classes or extra class is 50% off as well!

• Need Based Assistance - We can work out reduced rates that are determined based on your family’s household size and income. If you are eligible for a free/reduced lunch through LPS, you’ll be eligible with us. Let us know if you need more info about assistance and we’ll send the info and sign up forms your way.

What Courses Do You Offer?
See the form for a complete listing of our course offerings. It lists locations, days, times, and rates. Read below for an explanation of each class:

• K-5 Core Program – This is a class for students in Kindergarten – 5th grade only. It’s set up just like a regular core class where students will be placed into playing groups and will learn to play selected songs to be performed at shows. The only difference is that kids are grouped into a younger age bracket. Students will also get more variety in the number of instruments they will learn to play and there is a great emphasis on rhythm and instrument basics.

• Beginner Core – This course is for students brand new to AOR with limited experience in playing instruments. This is also great for students with experience in AOR but are still learning and not ready for the next step. This class is the core of what we do, teach kids how to rock. So don’t let the “beginner” title fool you!

• Mixed Level After School – Some of our after school programs are created just for the students of a particular school. A mixed level course just means that it’s open to every skill level. It’s basically what AOR has been doing for years!

• Adult Classes – These are exactly like any other core program class only it is for adults 18 & over. Adults tend to take their music a bit more seriously and sound really, really good. However, many of these adults have just started playing, so don’t be afraid to come in with no experience and start something I guarantee you’ll love!

• Next Level Courses – Next level is for students who are ready to leave the beginning courses and play with students who have an increased skill and mastery of their instrument. This is for students who have been in AOR for a while, know what it takes, and want to take things to the next level or new students who have been taking lessons for years and feel they can step in quick and start playing. This really is an advanced course for students but nothing to be afraid of. You just have to be ready to play and play hard.

• Blues @ The Zoo – We’re very excited about our brand new class held and sponsored by the legendary Zoo Bar. This class is for students of advanced skill who are interested in adding new skill to their arsenal and start learning to play some blues. In Blues @ the Zoo, students will learn techniques from multiple blues genres, learn to jam/sit in, and play with local blues legends on stage. It’s the ultimate class for students who just flat out love music. Also, it’s only once a week! That makes it easy to take other AOR classes and still make time for the blues.

• Original Bands – A goal of every musician is to meet the right people, start a band, write their own music, and play concerts all over the place. Well, original bands is just the class to teach you how. This is an advanced class for students who have decided to form their own group and write their own tunes. In Original Bands, students will receive a small printing budget, book their own shows, and invest their revenue into band promotions like stickers, buttons, t-shirts, or recording. Meanwhile, they will be getting plenty of time to work on creating their own original sound by writing and practicing original music in class.

• Special Projects – In Special Projects, students will envision, write, direct, produce, edit, interview, record, and much more on their way to producing our local TV Cable Access show “Direct Input”, sponsored by Time Warner Cable. This is a great class where students get to put their creative energy behind the camera and meet lots of great community musicians and artists in the process. For anyone interested in film, the music and art community, or just being around something totally cool, this is the perfect class for you! And you don’t have to be in regular AOR classes or ever touch an instrument.