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1805 E Truman Road, Independence, MO 64050Mon–Thu 3:30–9:30 pmFall bands form in August(816) 555-0121
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Rock school · Independence, Missouri

Find your band. Play the show.

Weekly rehearsals with a coach, a lesson on your instrument and a show at the end of every term, in a former warehouse for teens and adults.

Try a classSee the weekly schedule
  • Teens from twelve, and adults in their own bands
  • A rehearsal and a lesson each week
  • A show to finish every term
A teen rock band seen from behind in a garage-style rehearsal room, with a drum kit, two guitars and a bass facing a bright window

The band path

Three steps from first band to house band

Every band rehearses each week with a coach. You move up when your band is ready, not on a clock.

  1. 01

    First band

    Ages 12 and up, no band needed
    Skills

    • Hold a steady beat together in one room

    • Learn a short set of songs you know, chosen with your coach

    • Count in, start together and finish together

    • Set up your own amp, mic and stand

    Moving up

    Your coach moves you up when the band is ready to play a full set for a room. Every player moves at their own pace.

  2. 02

    Performance band

    Ages 12 and up, after a first band
    Skills

    • Build a set list with your bandmates

    • Play a show at the end of the term

    • Write a part of your own and bring it to rehearsal

    • Watch each other for cues, solos and endings

    Moving up

    Your band and your coach talk it over after a show. Every band moves at its own pace.

  3. 03

    House band

    Ages 14 and up, by invitation
    Skills

    • Play longer sets and the school's own shows

    • Mix songs you know with songs you write

    • Welcome new players into the lineup

    • Share a rehearsal with a first band, as a guide

    Moving up

    House bands are chosen by their coaches. Ask us how a spot opens.

Where to startTry a class

Sample levels.

Teens and adults rehearse in separate bands. Every player moves at their own pace.

Teachers and coaches

The people who lead your rehearsal

Every coach plays the instrument they teach and leads a band. Teens and adults rehearse in separate bands.

  • Fredrick McKnight, director, standing in a sunny practice room with a trumpet

    Fredrick McKnight

    Director · brass and band coaching

    Opened the school and coaches the Thursday house bands. Plays trumpet, has led school bands for fifteen years, and teaches on Thursdays and Saturdays.

  • Winifred Adger, drum coach, seated behind a practice drum kit with sticks in her hands

    Winifred Adger

    Drums · band coaching

    Coaches the Wednesday teen performance band and teaches drums on Mondays and Saturdays. She starts every new drummer with the groove and leaves the fills for later.

  • Callan Abbott, guitar coach, standing with a guitar in a practice room

    Callan Abbott

    Guitar · band coaching

    Coaches the Monday teen first band and teaches electric and acoustic guitar on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Has taught guitar for twelve years.

  • Garry Bannister, bass coach, standing with an electric bass beside an amp

    Garry Bannister

    Bass · adult bands

    Coaches the adult first band and the Thursday adult house band. Has played bass in local bands for most of his life and teaches bass on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • Romelia Santoyo, keys and voice coach, seated at a grand piano in a small room

    Romelia Santoyo

    Keys and vocals

    Teaches keys and voice on Thursdays and Saturdays and helps bands find their harmonies. Plays in a church band on Sundays.

  • Shiv Narang, keys coach, seated at a piano in a denim shirt

    Shiv Narang

    Keys and songwriting

    Coaches the Wednesday adult performance band and helps bands write parts and songs of their own. Teaches keyboard on Wednesdays.

Summer

Summer weeks that end in a show

Pick a week, join a band and play on Friday.

Summer

Showing 4 of 4

  • Early JuneOpen

    Week 1: Start a band

    Meet your bandmates, pick your parts and rehearse for Friday.

    Five mornings and afternoons of rehearsal and coaching in the warehouse, and a show for families on Friday evening.

    • Ages 12 to 17
    • 9 am – 3 pm
  • Mid JuneWaitlist

    Week 2: Write a set

    Choose songs, shape an order and write one part of your own.

    Bands work on a set list with a coach all week and play it at the Friday show.

    • Ages 12 to 17
    • 9 am – 3 pm
  • Late JuneOpen

    Week 3: Adult band week

    For adults who stopped playing and want a band again.

    Five evenings of rehearsal, a coach in the room every night, and a show on Friday for friends and family.

    • Adults
    • 6 pm – 9 pm
  • Mid JulyFull

    Week 4: Show week

    Returning players rehearse a longer set for the big room.

    A week for players who have been in a band before, ending in a longer show on Friday evening.

    • Ages 14 to 17
    • 9 am – 3 pm

Sample sessions.

Weeks and hours can change. The enrollment page has the latest.

Weekly rehearsals

Rehearsals by band

Six house bands rehearse each week for 90 minutes, with up to six players in a band. Lessons fill the hours around them.

Fall term

Showing 10 of 10

Monday

  • 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

    First band rehearsal

    Callan Abbott · Room 1

    Ages 12 to 17First bandOpenTry a class

  • 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

    Drum lessons

    Winifred Adger · Drum room

    Ages 12 and upLessonsOpenTry a class

Tuesday

  • 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

    Guitar lessons

    Callan Abbott · Room 3

    Ages 12 and upLessonsOpenTry a class

  • 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

    First band rehearsal

    Garry Bannister · Room 1

    AdultsFirst bandOpenTry a class

Wednesday

  • 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

    Performance band rehearsal

    Winifred Adger · Room 2

    Ages 12 to 17Performance bandWaitlistTry a class

  • 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

    Performance band rehearsal

    Shiv Narang · Room 2

    AdultsPerformance bandOpenTry a class

Thursday

  • 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

    Keys and voice lessons

    Romelia Santoyo · Room 3

    Ages 12 and upLessonsOpenTry a class

  • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

    House band rehearsal

    Fredrick McKnight · The big room

    Ages 14 to 17House bandFull

  • 7:45 pm – 9:15 pm

    House band rehearsal

    Garry Bannister · The big room

    AdultsHouse bandWaitlistTry a class

Saturday

  • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

    Lessons on every instrument

    All six coaches · Rooms 1 to 3

    Ages 12 and upLessonsOpenTry a class

Sample classes.

Times change by term. The enrollment page has this week's, and a coach confirms your band's night when you join.

The program

The band program, in plain terms

What each program includes, how long it runs and how to leave. Tuition figures are on our enrollment page, and we go over them at your first class.

  • Band program

    Where to start

    A weekly rehearsal with your band and a weekly lesson on your instrument, for a full term.

    • A band rehearsal each week with a coach
    • A lesson each week on your instrument, 30 minutes
    • A show at the end of the term
    • A teacher matched to you after a first listen
    Term:
    A term is 12 weeks
    Cancellation:
    A month's written notice to leave during a term
    Refunds:
    Ask us before you enroll; refunds are in writing
    Try a class

  • Lessons only

    A weekly lesson on guitar, bass, drums, keys or voice, with no band.

    • A lesson each week, 30 or 45 minutes
    • Private or shared, with a teacher matched to you
    • A place in a show, if you want one
    • A band rehearsal
    Term:
    Billed by the month
    Cancellation:
    A month's written notice
    Refunds:
    A missed lesson is made up, not refunded
    Try a class

  • Summer week

    Five days in a band that ends in a show on Friday evening.

    • Five days of rehearsal and coaching
    • A show for family and friends on Friday
    • Teens in one week, adults in their own
    • Weekly lessons after the week ends
    Term:
    One week
    Cancellation:
    A week's written notice
    Refunds:
    Ask us before you sign up
    Try a class

How billing, make-ups and notice work is on the tuition page.

Shows and dates

Shows and dates, by month

Each term ends in a show. The year, by month.

This school year

  • Fall term begins

    Early September · Bands form in August, after a coach hears each player.

  • Fall show

    Late October · Every band plays a short set in the big room.

  • Closed for Thanksgiving week

    Late November

  • Winter show

    Mid December · Performance bands and house bands play longer sets.

  • Spring term begins

    Early January

  • Summer weeks open for sign-up

    Early March · Pick a week and a band.

  • Spring showcase

    Late April · All six house bands share one night.

  • Summer show weeks

    June and July · Each summer week ends in a show on Friday evening.

  • Open rehearsal night

    First Thursday of each month · Families and friends can listen to a house band.

Sample dates.

Dates move a little each year. The enrollment page has this term's.

Questions

Before your first class

How old do I need to be?

Bands start at twelve, and adults of any age are welcome in their own bands. Younger players can ask us about lessons.

Do I need to have played in a band?

No. First bands are for players who have never been in one. A coach listens to you for a few minutes at a class to try, and you are placed from there.

Do I need my own instrument?

Bring your own guitar or bass if you have one; ask your teacher before you buy or rent. Every rehearsal room has amps, a drum kit and microphones set up.

How is a band formed?

A coach hears each player, and we put together players of a similar level and age. Teens and adults rehearse in separate bands, and you pick songs with your coach.

Do I have to play the shows?

Shows are where a term ends, and most players want one. If you would rather not, tell your coach and we will talk it over.

Can a parent watch?

Parents are welcome at shows and open rehearsal nights, and a parent can sit in on a first class. The lesson room doors have windows or stay open.

Come in

Come to a class and hear a band

Sit in on a rehearsal for your age group, or take a lesson. A coach listens to you play, and nobody is graded.

Try a classCall the school