School of Rock Article...coming in the April NMEA Journal

This is an excerpt from my article that will be published in the April Nebraska Music Educators Journal.

 

SCHOOL OF ROCK

A Different Approach to Music Education

When you think of music education curriculum, you probably are not expecting Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Ramones, Neil Young or Queen as part of or the foundation of a music education curriculum.   But, this is exactly what I saw and heard while spending a day at one of the School of Rock sites in Montclair, NJ.  And yes, this is music education!

            Most are probably familiar with the film, School of Rock, but there really is such a thing as School of Rock, or more accurately, Schools of Rock.  There are over 50 Schools of Rock in 23 states (Nebraska just opened a site in Omaha). The School of Rock was started in 1998 by Paul Green in Philadelphia, PA.  

            Last summer, while presenting a couple of sessions for the MENC in Washington D.C., I met Mark Biondi who is the National Director of Operations for School of Rock.  Mark invited me to come out east and visit one of these programs.  I was finally able to take him up on his offer.

Social Learning

I am now in week two of a grad class called Social Learning.  Last week we set up Twitter accounts and asked to use it throughout the week.  I posted a few things on a trip I did out east for a project and it was really nice to get some immediate feedback on this project.  It got me thinking of how nice it will be if I am in need of some help or opinions while working and not having to wait until after the work day where it might be forgotten or left all together and moving to something different.