McHenry – Top 9 places for music camp9 recommended music camp in McHenry

When five piano lessons didn’t turn out the way my parents and I hoped it would some 30 years ago, I gave up learning to play an instrument. While I remained notoriously passionate about music, I had basically settled on being a passive listener and album hoarder. That is, until I was asked directly which instrument I’ve always “really” wanted to play. Simple: the drums. When I started learning how to play drums at the School of Rock in Naperville, I felt decades of involuntarily tapping out beats finally made purposeful. I could actually feel the synapses in my brain firing as I was instructed to send synchronistic vibes to my hands and feet. Playing the drums at School of Rock has not only changed my mental acuity, it changed my life. Recently, when my friends heard me playing drums at a house party, they were inspired to play an instrument too. It’s never too late to participate in the things that make you feel alive.

Fantastic program. We’ve gotten so much out of it. All the teachers are so invested in the children. It’s more than merely theory here.

They are willing to teach any song and adjust to what the kids are looking to play….they are great stewards of music and the effect has become apparent.

I’ve written maybe 4 reviews in my life and it’s usually to warn others to avoid mistakes and pitfalls that I have experienced…but NOT this time.

Naperville’s School of Rock has had a very real, very positive, and quite unexpected impact on our family. My son started guitar lessons and joined one of the performance bands a year ago and the results are absolutely amazing. He was a true beginner and he has evolved into an accomplished guitarist with a new found interest in all kinds of music and artists. He also has a drive and enthusiasm toward practice at home.

I should note that although my son is a teen the school takes kids of all ages and skill levels.

So what, you ask, is the big secret? When you visit the school for the first time, the “big secret” will jump out and grab you…IT’S FUN! Learning music in this environment and playing with other people is like nothing you or your child has experienced. Joanna and Charlie are awesome, heading up a team of professional musicians who love the kids and love sharing their love and knowledge of music with them. Lessons are great but you just can’t compare the sense of accomplishment and sense of belonging you or your child will feel when you’re part of a band, learning together and preparing to perform together.

So what makes me such an expert? Well, a month ago I joined the School’s “Old School” program and became hooked too! I’m living the dream baby! Now if only I can figure out where to park the tour bus…

My 10-year old son had been a student at SOR Naperville for over two years. At 8 1/2, after begging him to practice and play piano for 3 years, I finally asked, “What instrument would you be willing to practice? The answer, “drums”. This prompted us to enroll him in private lessons which eventually led to Rock 101. Since then, he has performed in 3 live shows and he considers SOR his home away from home. We have seen him gain so much self-confidence and a sense of who he is from this experience. Their approach to learning is unique and builds a community of artists and creates an outlet for kids who otherwise would not have one.

Living in a community like Naperville, kids are fortunate to be exposed to so many different activities at a very young age. Like many families, we started out in soccer and Tball with our son. It became clear early on that team sports was not his “groove” and that he would have to find someplace else to excel. We would never have guessed at that time that it would be School of Rock. Their approach to learning music motivates kids to practice and improve so that they do not let down their “team” of musicians and so that they are ready to perform on their performance date. Taking both a group and private lesson each week really increases their retention and confidence.

He has not only learned the drums and bass guitar, but he is now begging us for vocal lessons! We knew SOR was the right place for him when on a 3rd grade writing assignment he wrote, ” I feel most at home at School of Rock.” “I love to stay late after my lesson and read my book while I wait for my Mom”. To know that our son feels like he fits in and that he feels so comfortable there is very reassuring to us. Each of his coaches has encouraged and motivated him differently and he respects that they all are live performers and can speak from their experience on stage.

We feel like part of the School of Rock Naperville family and are proud to say so! The owner and manager have always been grateful for our business, accommodated all of our scheduling requests and taken great care of our son!

The Chitwood Family

This is a fun-filled and energy-filled place. It’s a great afters-long-school-day activity for the kids to follow. When they need to run off some of their bottled-up energy into something productive yet fun: Not too structured, not too sitting down without moving.

Have had rather negative experiences here with the instructors and overall learning environment. Will need to look elsewhere.