School of Rock, Naperville

Editor's note: This article from December 2013 describes School of Rock Naperville's programs and the 2013–14 concert season. It is preserved as originally published; dates and contact details are from 2013.

What was the "Old Skool" program?

School of Rock Naperville had figured out a new way for parents and their children to connect via an old method: music.

"The #1 thing that people say when they walk through our doors is 'I wish I had a program like this when I was growing up!'" said the school's Musical Director Charlie Dresser, sitting in the lobby of the old Victorian house just north of downtown Naperville that was home to the school.

In answer to those wishes, the school launched its new adult program, appropriately titled "Old Skool," which gave adults the same musical experience as the kids' programs — the opportunity to rock out! Both children and adults went through the same curriculum: a 45-minute private lesson plus a 1.5–3 hour group jam session led by an instructor. At the end of each 3-month season, both sets of students performed at a professional music venue.

About 50% of the Old Skool participants also had children in the School of Rock Performance Program (ages 7–18). During a period of a child's development where kids typically shy away from anything having to do with their parents, Old Skool provided a rare opportunity for parents to relate with their children in a unique and powerful way.

What did the parents say?

Chris, a father of two boys in the program, said: "I played in my youth but would have never picked up the guitar again if I didn't have to spend hours in the music store helping my son decide on a drum set. Now, because of my participation in School of Rock Naperville via Old Skool, when I tell my sons to practice, they take me more seriously because they see me doing the same thing."

Amy, one of the first members of Old Skool and a parent of two boys in the Performance Program, shared that her 11-year-old son Parker would not only learn to play the songs she would be singing in Old Skool but also helped her practice. She also said: "My kids give me a lot of pointers I don't want to hear!"

The idea of children teaching their parents was a common theme among Old Skool students. Claudia, an Old Skool member, recalled a near-miss with her 9-year-old daughter Sophie, also in the performance program. "Sophie and I share a guitar and the first day I went to plug in and play, Sophie came running through the family room, arms waving, yelling at me to STOP! She told me, 'Mom, you always have to make sure to turn off the amplifier before plugging in the guitar. You could have just blown the amp!'"

Not only was School of Rock Naperville influential in the adults' lives, but hugely so in the children's lives as well. For Chris, he and his wife came looking for a way to get their son to open up. "Because he's had such an amazing experience here, it has become his motivation: it helps him get up in the morning, not act out, do his homework during the week, effectively becoming more responsible. We've watched him grow up as a result of this program."

When were the 2013–14 season concerts?

The students' hard work would pay off that winter: the performance program students played their season-closing concert at the Lodge in Lisle on December 7, 2013. A month later, Old Skool had their first performance at Frankie's Blue Room on Friday, January 10, 2014. Everything came full circle in early spring when Old Skool played the opening slot for the Performance Program's Best of Season performance in March — parents cheering on their children and children cheering on their parents during each other's sets.

For current information on School of Rock Naperville programs, check their website — the email, phone, and 2013 concert dates above are from the original article.