Hinchinbrooke PS Still Rockin'

Julia Schall | May 24, 2012

Photo: Student of the School of Rock, Hinchinbrooke Public School in Parham.

The Hinchinbrooke School of rock is wrapping up its 6th year. This structured extra-curricular program begins in January of each year and continues until June. Students from grades 7 and 8 learn a new instrument, play rock and country music and prepare for an end-of-the-year concert. The program has been able to continue thanks to community donations and many generous grants from the Limestone Learning Foundation, which funded the purchase of guitars, basses, amplifiers, as well as sound and recording equipment.

This year's band, District 9, has nine dedicated musicians learning a wide range of music from The Who and David Bowie to Bryan Adams, Carrie Underwood and Brantley Gilbert. The skills focus for the School of Rock is not learning musical theory and reading sheet music. Instead, the main focus is team work, developing a musical ear and improving sense of timing. Most songs are learned by “rote” (by listening and repeating) and practices rely heavily on listening and cooperating with each other, especially their drummers Jessica and Brittany, whose beats set the foundation for all of the songs.

The Hinchinbrooke School of Rock (a.k.a. District 9) will be playing at this year's Relay for Life at the Parham Fairgrounds on Friday, June 15 in the early evening. They are also headlining a concert at the Oddfellows Hall on Saturday, Jun 16 at 7pm. Joining them at the concert will be some past participants from the School of Rock's past, including rockers HD Supply. Please support these amazing kids and local music by attending the concert. You won't be disappointed.