Schoolhouse Rock!

The School of Rock has inspired Northwest Academy students to perform live in concerts and pursue a more serious path in the music industry.

“The School of Rock is a completely unique opportunity to not only expand your skills as a musician, but also to be able to perform like one,” Lukas Gordon, a freshman and member of School of Rock, said.

School of Rock is a national music program where members can learn to play songs and then perform in a live concert, giving them a unique experience that normal music lessons can’t provide.

The program has helped refer many band members to Northwest Academy, as well as improving fellow student relationships.

“It has strengthened the connections I have inside school with those who go there,” Theo Snyder, a freshman and member of School of Rock, said. “It’s helped me become better friends with kids at the school who I would otherwise not know.”

School of Rock has not only helped students form bonds with their fellow Northwest Academy peers, but has also helped promote local bands within the Portland community.

The Best of Portland annual concert has featured bands such as Wild Ones, Red Fang, Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus, Typhoon and many others.

The classes are taught by professional band members who have played in music festivals and concerts, bringing in knowledge that music teachers can’t.

“It’s one thing to play an instrument and it’s another thing to actually be able to perform with one,” Gordon said. “Meeting Stephen Malkmus and playing with him was amazing.”

The program is not just for veteran band members. Private lessons are also popular, providing newer musicians with a chance to be coached individually.

“The one-on-one lessons are really helpful, as well as playing with people,” Connor Johnson, a junior, said. “They both equally help build up confidence and ability in playing music.”

The School of Rock has allowed musicians like Johnson a chance to perform nationally, with the School of Rock All Stars edition that is taking place at Lollapalooza.

“Playing at Lollapalooza was crazy, it was one of those things you only dream about happening, but I actually got to play,” Johnson said.