At the end of February, the Detroit School of Rock and Pop
Music opened its doors for the first time to masses of eager students willing
to do whatever it takes in order to make the transformation from bedroom rock
stars to the real thing. What started out as simply a good idea on paper for
head honcho Jason Gittinger became a reality 12 months ago when he took control
of an old bicycle store in Royal Oak. A year and a whole lot of hard labor
later, and the building is the perfect outlet for Gittinger’s original vision,
a vision that Gittinger himself summarizes eloquently in his “Declaration of
Rock.”
“We, therefore, the
Representatives of The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music™, in General
Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the
rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good
People of this music school, solemnly publish and declare, That these United
Rock Bands of The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music™ are, and of Right ought
to be Free to Rock and play the music they wish; that they are Absolved from
all Allegiance to the music schools of the past, and that all connection
between them and these schools, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that
as Free and Independent Rock Bands, they have full Power to sing, drum, strum,
pluck, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Bands may of right
do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives,
our Fortunes and our sacred Rock and Roll Honor.”
And let’s fact it,
nothing is more sacred than rock ‘n’ roll honor.
Metromix
paid a recent visit to the school and, upon entering the doors, we were
immediately impressed with what Gittinger has achieved. With hardwood floors
running through the entire building (formerly the basketball court at Michigan
State Fairgrounds Coliseum – no kiddin’), and concert lighting covering the
ceiling, the school definitely has a visual impact. Now the preparation is over
though, and the real hard work begins.
“We had 150 people here for our opening day,” Gittinger says.
“From kids to lawyers – we get all ages coming through these doors. I’d say the
average age of our students is 25.”
The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music isn’t your average
music school though. For one thing, a wallet full of cash or a wealthy parent
won’t guarantee you admission –- there’s an audition process.
“We’re not necessarily looking for the most talented people through
the auditions,” Gittinger reveals. “We say on the website that an initial lack
of ability won’t stop us from taking you in. What we’re looking for is the
passion to want to learn. That’s the most important thing. And the willingness
to get out of the garage and start playing live with a band.”
Playing live is something that Gittinger knows all about –
he drums with the hugely popular cover group The Mega 80’s, a popular area
cover band. Perhaps surprisingly, Gittinger doesn’t teach the drums at his
school. He does hire an expert tutor for each instrument, including vocals,
though. He even has The Motor City Horns, famous for performing with Bob Seger,
on hand to teach some brass skills.
Gittinger isn’t content to teach his students a few chords
and send them on their way. The ultimate aim is to get them on stage, playing
in front of an audience.
“I went on a three-day clinic tour with the Capital University
Rock Ensemble,” Gittinger says. “I spoke at the Michigan Music Educators
Convention for a bunch of music teachers from all over Michigan, and then I
invited them to Detroit for two days and we played at an elementary school in
Warren and another school in Grosse Pointe. I wouldn’t expect anything but my
students to be playing on stage at the end of one of our courses.
“Thanks to my role in The Mega 80’s, I have tones of
experience at throwing concerts. That makes it very easy for me to do that for
people who don’t know what they’re doing. It’s awesome to see them on stage at
the end. It’s incredibly gratifying.”
The Detroit School
of Rock and Pop Music is located at 1109
South Washington Ave, Royal Oak, Michigan. 888-988-7625. Classes cost $299
/ month for the full production band course. For more info:
www.detroitschoolofrock.com
