Apr 7, 2020 | Featured, Franchise News
It all started with a thousand kids talking online to Jay Weinberg, the drummer of Slipknot. Then came live access to Frank Zummo from Sum 41. The P!NK Band jumped in next to give tips and answer questions. And the world’s most famous musicians just keep on coming!
School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, has begun augmenting its newly launched School of Rock Remote program with exclusive access to some of the most famous rock stars in the world. These School of Rock Artist Sessions are giving students live daily online tutorials and Q&As with many of their idols. And musicians with Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Guns N’ Roses, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder are next on the schedule.
“We know everyone at home is looking for ways to engage and explore. That’s why we are collaborating with world-class artists to provide our students with an intimate opportunity to connect,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “We put the word out and the response has been incredible. I am particularly proud that our team is using this opportunity to advance the cause of suicide prevention.”
Professional musicians participating in Artist Sessions are also donating their time and helping to raise awareness for School of Rock’s philanthropic partner, the Society of Prevention of Teen Suicide.
Each session is an hour and features artists from various genres. Artist Sessions are only open to currently enrolled students at no additional cost.
Any professional musicians who want to learn more about the program and how to get involved, can contact artistpartnerships@schoolofrock.com.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School of Rock launched School of Rock Remote last month where some 40,000 students can use video conferencing during their regularly scheduled lesson times to gain access to their skilled music instructor. In addition, their students can use the proprietary School of Rock Method app and Method Books. In addition, the company has launched master classes and group check-ins to advance musical proficiency and community. Since these programs are available online, School of Rock is now available to everyone who wants to use this time to become a musician.
School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging learning environment for taking guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons, keyboard lessons, and singing lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior instrumental skills and confidence on the big stage, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.
Mar 28, 2020 | Featured, Franchise News
You are invited to join us in our first Franchise 101 webinar. If you’ve considered the possibility of buying a franchise but don’t know where to start, this is a great opportunity to learn more about how franchising works. Becoming a part of a network of franchises can bring many benefits, including access to a proven business model, IT systems, marketing materials, merch, partnership, and support. The due diligence involved in becoming a franchisee can take at least 2 or 3 months, so it might be a good time for you to analyze your options and plan your future.
Brian Galvin, School of Rock’s Director of Franchise Development, will take you through the franchise world, answer your questions, and also share with you information about School of Rock franchising, transforming lives through music for over 20 years. Brian has been in the franchise business for over 30 years, serving as a franchise sales executive, working for multi-unit franchisees and also running his own franchises.
We have territories with great potential available all over Canada, including British Columbia and Ontario. This is a great time to learn more and consider the possibility of bringing music to your community, employing talented musicians, and becoming a part of a network of over 270 schools in 9 countries.
Sessions will be held once a month with dates and times listed 2-3 months in advance. So you can choose the time that fits to your schedule.
WHERE: From the comfort of your own living room! (Zoom webinar)
WHO: Hosted by Brian Galvin, Director of Franchise Development for School of Rock.
SIGN UP! Click the link below to sign up for our free information session. No obligation.
We can’t wait to talk to you and assist you in your franchising journey.
Mar 20, 2020 | Featured, Franchise News
In response to the growing number of citizens being asked to remain in their homes or limit travel, School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, today announced virtual, one-on-one music lessons for its 40,000 students around the world through its School of Rock Remote program.
“At School of Rock, the health and safety of our students is our top priority, which is why we have rapidly adapted our operations in order to meet students’ needs,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “School of Rock Remote along with our School of Rock Method App is a fantastic way to provide continuity and connection. Our instructors are gigging musicians, and they have shown their flexibility to make sure the music goes on.”
Students will use video conferencing during their regularly scheduled lesson times to gain access to their skilled music instructor. The new virtual lesson room coupled with School of Rock’s proprietary Method App™, SongFirst™ approach and Method Books™ will offer a comprehensive music learning experience that is fun, educational and safe. In addition to meeting the needs of current students, School of Rock understands that millions of additional people can benefit from remote music education. New students are welcome to join the School of Rock community by contacting their local school.
Additionally, Hal Leonard, the world’s largest print music publisher of performance and instructional material, has partnered with School of Rock to provide students a free 60-day pass to SheetMusicDirect.com, a nearly endless library of notation in virtually every genre, including rock. Sheet Music Direct PASS is the world’s leading digital sheet music subscription service.
School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging learning environment for taking guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons, keyboard lessons, and singing lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior instrumental skills and confidence on the big stage, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.
Feb 29, 2020 | Featured, Franchise News
A unique blend of music lessons and performance programs appeals to franchisees and students alike, with deals signed for 16 more locations and more than 3,000 students enrolled across the country. “We’ve become the largest music education business in Brazil,” said Paulo Portela, School of Rock’s master franchisee in Brazil with 21 open locations in the country.
Portela also recently signed master franchise agreements to develop School of Rock in Spain and Portugal, where two of his business partners with connections to each country will lead the expansion efforts. Each operated successful units in Brazil and will “benefit from the assets we’ve developed,” said Portela, including systems for the onboarding of new franchisees and an “intense project management phase” to get new schools open four months after a deal is signed.
International growth has been a focus for Rob Price since coming on board as School of Rock’s CEO in July 2017. With a presence in nine global markets, existing master franchisees such as Portela are driving that expansion, which Price said allows School of Rock to capitalize on the “potency of these operators” while not distracting from domestic growth as the brand approaches 300 total locations. Other new markets include Paraguay and Colombia, now being developed by the existing master franchisee for Chile and Peru.
Click here to read more about School of Rock’s expansion in Brazil and beyond in the full article by Franchise Times.
Feb 12, 2020 | Featured, Franchise News
Recently School of Rock was honored by Franchise Business Review and given their 2020 Franchisee Satisfaction Award. School of Rock’s Chief Development Officer, Anthony Padulo, and Senior Manager of New School Openings, Pamela Ross, were on hand to accept the award at the 2020 International Franchise Association convention. This accolade in particular is important to School of Rock due to the criteria for winners being based solely on one thing: the happiness of franchisees. School of Rock is determined to continue prioritizing franchisee satisfaction going forward.
Feb 11, 2020 | Explore the Business Model, Featured, Franchise News
For 2020, School of Rock has been named #219 in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500. Entrepreneur has also recognized School of Rock as a Top Child Enrichment Brand. Several factors went into determining these accolades, including franchise costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. “Inclusion in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranking as the top child enrichment brand is an honor and validates the School of Rock family’s tireless work,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of School of Rock as we continue to expand across the globe and fulfill our mission to enrich lives through music.” Click below to read the full piece about School of Rock’s 2020 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking.
Read more about School of Rock’s Franchise 500 placement: Click here.
Oct 18, 2019 | Franchise News
School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, announced the opening of its 250th location in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, the first of eight schools that will open in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The milestone signals School of Rock’s larger international development strategy to strengthen the company’s position as the premier music education brand in the world.
Paulo Portela, CEO of School of Rock’s master franchisee in Brazil, will open 117 schools, in addition to the 33 already contracted, for a total of 150 schools throughout Brazil over the next few years. Portela also has been awarded master franchise agreements for Spain and Portugal. The first School of Rock sites in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona are targeted to open in 2020.
“Rio de Janeiro is central to Brazilian musical history and “cariocas” love rock’n roll. The Ipanema School, along with the first Rio area school in Barra da Tijuca, show our commitment to sustaining that heritage.” Portela said. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to accelerate and increase future growth across Brazil, Spain and Portugal.”
School of Rock also continues to expand its conversion program, which rebrands existing music education businesses and turns them into School of Rock locations. The company recently converted its first independent music school to a School of Rock in Lafayette, LA. The next conversion will be the Brazilian independent music school EM&T in Sao Paulo, becoming the largest overall School of Rock site in the global system with approximately 800 enrolled students.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of School of Rock as we work diligently to ramp up our international development strategy and reach thousands more aspiring musicians across the world,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “We are planning for long term global growth fueled by a passionate community, curriculum innovation, and new strategic partnerships.”
Price traveled to Brazil to finalize and mark these milestones, as well as observe an exciting partnership with Rock in Rio. The School of Rock House, an experiential booth located at the event, gave the more than one million festival goers the opportunity to “play Rock in Rio” as well as get to know the brand. An estimated 20,000 attendees unleashed their inner rock star at the School of Rock House.
Chad Smith, the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers helped School of Rock Brazil celebrate its impact on the lives of its students. Smith, in disguise, surprised 60 School of Rock students, jamming with them, going head-to-head with some talented fellow drummers, providing advice, and taking photos. One scholarship student was graciously invited to join Smith backstage at Rock in Rio and get pre-concert mentorship with the band’s bassist Flea, who gave her tips on how to excel on the Bass.
One of the pressing opportunities that the School of Rock leadership team has identified in its global expansion is to ensure that young people without financial means get access to music. In celebration of the developments in Brazil, School of Rock has committed to working with Associação Para Iniciação Musical (AIM), a nonprofit focused on creative opportunities for children in the country’s most vulnerable communities. School of Rock will make the largest single donation in AIM’s history to help expand access to musical education in the favelas that surround the markets in which the brand operates.
School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging learning environment for taking guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons, keyboard lessons, and singing lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior instrumental skills and confidence on the big stage, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.
Learn more about franchising with School of Rock here: Click here.
Jul 9, 2019 | Featured
School of Rock, the leader in performance-based education, announces its latest collaboration with iHeartMedia to bring five original School of Rock playlists to millions of listeners via the iHeartRadio app. The slate of new hand-curated playlists, entitled “School of Rock Collection,” are comprised of songs from all eras of rock and alternative music, organized into the following: Alt/Punk/New Wave, Classic Rock, Funk and R&B, Metal and Hard Rock, and Modern Rock. Listeners can enjoy these playlists beginning today exclusively on iHeartRadio.
School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging music lesson experience, which includes guitar lessons, singing lessons and piano lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior musical proficiency, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as “American Idol,” “The Voice” and Broadway.
“School of Rock’s curriculum is grounded in teaching music through influential popular songs,” says Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “This new partnership will allow us to extend the School of Rock experience to the iHeartRadio community by putting a spotlight on how rock n’ roll has evolved from its inception to today.”
The “School of Rock Collection” spotlights feature shows and songs that are culturally and historically significant to the history of rock music and contemporary western music from the last several decades. This collection also demonstrates fundamental and foundational musical concepts and techniques that are used in conjunction with School of Rock’s proprietary curriculum.
iHeartRadio is America’s No. 1 streaming digital radio service and is the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the “School of Rock Collection” on your favorite device today.
Jul 9, 2019 | Featured
For more than 20 years, School of Rock has been the leader in performance-based music education, bringing musicians of all ages to some of the most iconic stages in the world. This year, in partnership with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group (APG), School of Rock will launch a major worldwide artist search called Center Stage. This incredible new talent search will provide the opportunity for musicians around the world to be seen by record label executives.
Beginning this month, singers can submit a five-minute audition video in hopes of being one of approximately 25 selected individuals flown out to Los Angeles for an invaluable industry experience. These artists will perform in front of Atlantic Records and APG executives at a private artist showcase. They will record songs at APG’s studios with professional engineers. While not every applicant will receive this showcase opportunity, 100 applicants that show promise as artists will receive a scholarship to a School of Rock camp of their choice.
“School of Rock is one of the largest communities of creators in the world,” says Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “We pride ourselves on taking students out of a practice room and putting them on to the stage. With Center Stage, we’re giving these talented artists the potential to reach their biggest audience yet. It’s an honor to be a central part of that journey.”
The program is open to all vocalists aged 13-19 years old living in a country where School of Rock operates, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Africa, Australia, and the Philippines. Vocalists do not need to be School of Rock students in order to participate. However, only School of Rock students auditioning for Center Stage will receive personalized feedback from School of Rock staff on their submissions that will help them continue to grow and develop as musicians.
“One of my top priorities is to break down the barriers of entry in the industry. School of Rock has valuable resources to develop one’s artistry, and Center Stage is a unique platform for the discovery of talent,” says Mike Caren, CEO of Artist Partner Group.
For more information on the Center Stage program and how you can audition, please visit www.schoolofrock.com/centerstage.
ABOUT ATLANTIC RECORDS
Atlantic Records celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018. Founded in New York City, the label literally grew from a one-room operation into one of the world’s preeminent music companies. Atlantic has released a string of recordings that have had a profound impact on the course of modern music, its rich history including such musical icons as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, and Led Zeppelin. The Atlantic Records Group roster today includes many of the world’s most popular recording artists, among them Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Sia, Coldplay, Charlie Puth, Janelle Monáe, Bazzi, Wiz Khalifa, David Guetta, Death Cab for Cutie, Matchbox Twenty, Lil Uzi Vert, Jason Mraz, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, Melanie Martinez, Rob Thomas, Skrillex, Trey Songz, and many more.
ABOUT ARTIST PARTNER GROUP
Artist Partner Group (APG), based in Los Angeles, CA and founded in 2012 by WMG Creative Officer Mike Caren, is a modern record group for forward thinking and entrepreneurial artists. APG acts as an invisible force that helps build artist brands and relentlessly executes artists’ vision. Clients include Charlie Puth, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, Bazzi, Youngboy Never Broke Again, Lil Skies, Alec Benjamin.
ABOUT SCHOOL OF ROCK
School of Rock helps aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity and develop tools they need to thrive in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, PA in 1998, School of Rock has become a rapidly growing international franchise operating more than 230 schools in ten global markets. Since 2009, School of Rock has grown their student count from 4,000 to more than 33,000. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons, including guitar lessons, singing lessons and piano lessons (available at www.schoolofrock.com/lessons).
Follow School of Rock on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SchoolofRockUSA.
For more information on School of Rock visit www.SchoolofRock.com or call 866-695-5515. To learn more about School of Rock franchise opportunities head to http://franchising.schoolofrock.com/.
Jul 9, 2019 | Featured
School of Rock, the world’s leader in performance-based music education, is proud to announce School of Rock GearSelect. This is a group of partnerships with the most innovative providers of musical instruments, accessories and tools in the world. The brands involved include heavy-hitters such as Fender® (guitars and amplifiers), Zildjian® (cymbals), Vic Firth® (sticks and mallets), Roland® (keyboards/electronic drums) and Earasures® (hearing protection), as well as a portfolio of brands distributed by Hal Leonard®, including Gretsch® (drums), Gibraltar® (drum hardware), Remo® (drum heads), Blue® (mics), Avid® (Pro Tools recording software), Samson® (audio), GeerFab® (acoustic treatments), Tycoon® (hand percussion) and Hal Leonard® print music publications.
Through GearSelect, School of Rock will be working with its new partners on original content, artist access and special events. Partner brands will be front and center in School of Rock music video productions, live performances and marketing platforms. Brands also have the opportunity to tap into School of Rock students’ insights and feedback to help shape product and customer strategies.
School of Rock will feature GearSelect partners’ world-class products to its community of 30,000 students around the world each year. This will come to life through collaboration on sourcing partners’ gear for schools, introducing instructors and students to their brands, and reducing obstacles for younger artists to get professional level gear.
According to School of Rock CEO, Rob Price, “School of Rock already offers unmatched musical development. Adding GearSelect will substantially improve the quality of our students’ playing and performing experiences.”
Fender was the first partner to join GearSelect. Fender CEO Andy Mooney observes, “School of Rock has an unmatched opportunity to help shape tomorrow’s players. We are excited to leverage this powerful partnership to maximize the exposure of these young artists to Fender’s innovations.”
While GearSelect will expose School of Rock’s community to a wide range of products, the company realizes that schools and students will need other categories of equipment or special requirements. To support this, its schools, staff members and students will have the additional support of Chicago Music Exchange. In addition to its flagship store in Chicago, CME offers an extraordinary ecommerce platform and exceptional support through a dedicated concierge and special programs for School of Rock Students.
