Calling Future Rock Stars

"Be your own rock." Prudential slogan

Paul Green wanted to be the best. Since he couldn’t be the world’s best guitarist, he invented something new so he could be best at that. What he invented has grown into more than 40 locations across the country and was the subject of a critically acclaimed documentary in 2005. An after school program in Philadelphia established in 1999, The Paul Green School of Rock Music trains kids aged 7-18 to be rock musicians.

Students receive private lessons on the instrument of their choice and also participate in weekly rehearsals to prepare them for the main event, THE SHOW! Past shows have included tributes to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, and the Beatles. The movie details the preparations and performance of shows featuring the music of Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa. The goal is to make the students into amazing musicians.

It looks like they’re succeeding. The movie, Rock School, is a hoot, although the harsh language Paul uses with some of the kids is a bit shocking. Seeing 12-year old prodigy CJ playing Santana’s Black Magic Woman on the guitar is well worth the price of the movie rental.

Green says he’s a natural teacher, who teaches all the time. We all have a gift—something we’re better at than almost anybody else. Finding a way to build our lives around using our gifts is a worthy goal.

©2007 Dixie Darr. All rights reserved