Getting ready to teach Rock Star 101

WATERTOWN -- At 120 Elm St., they're moving in the drum kits and electric guitars and they're plugging in the amplifiers: bad news for the neighbors perhaps, but great news for those about to rock.

The Paul Green School of Rock is now open, enrolling aspiring musicians between the ages of 7 and 18 in a performance-based rock 'n' roll program that will not only teach them how to pluck a guitar like Eric Clapton but also how to swagger like Mick Jagger. No musical training is required.

"I can't believe it took us so long to get here. Boston is such a great rock town," said Green, who opened the first School of Rock in Philadelphia in 1998 and has 28 locations nationwide. "But now, we're ready to rock."

Following a rock star syllabus, students will study either guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals for 12 weeks. The school operates on an open, rolling admissions process for four semesters throughout the year, accepting a maximum of 180 students per semester. About 40 students have signed up at the Watertown center, housed

in a two-story, 4,000-square-foot building near the Watertown Mall.

The $250 monthly tuition covers one 45-minute private lesson and one three-hour group rehearsal each week as well as open jam sessions and classes on anything from music theory to gear maintenance.

Throughout the program, seasoned musicians will critique the students' performances, letting them know -- often with brutal honesty -- if they need more attitude, more antics, or simply more cowbell.

In a sort of final exam, students perform a live rock show at a local nightclub, complete with stage craft, strobe lights, and smoke machines.

"We've always operated on the philosophy that the best way to learn anything is by doing it," said Green. "The live shows are proof of that."

Many people are under the misconception that Green got the idea for the School of Rock from comedian Jack Black's 2003 movie of the same name, but it's the other way around. Black's character is believed by many to have been based upon Green, although he is not credited.

Green was featured in an award-winning 2005 documentary "Rock School," where he is profiled as a wild-eyed mentor, punching walls and swearing at the kids until their Black Sabbath performances were up to his standards.

The same tough-love curriculum will be taught at the Watertown center, where budding Jimmy Pages and Patti Smiths will be studying the works of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, and Queen as they prepare for the big concert at the end of the program.

Most school music programs don't teach rock music or offer instruction on how to wale on an electric guitar, Green said.

The School of Rock's program is aimed at kids who want to play music but don't necessarily want to play the tuba or clarinet in their school bands.

Amelia Richman, 15, enrolled in the New York branch of the School of Rock last summer to learn how to sing.

"The friendships I've formed here are awesome," said the Queens, N.Y. resident. "It's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Bonding with friends who share your passions is an important part of the education, according to Krystal Banfield, director of Berklee College of Music's City Music program, a free afterschool music program for urban youths.

"Most schools don't have programs that appeal to kids who like rock or popular music," Banfield said. "In fact, some schools may not have a music program at all."

Faced with tighter budgets, school districts across the state have been forced to cut music and arts programs, according to the Massachusetts Board of Education.

"Music programs like City Music and School of Rock give voice to individuals, instill confidence, and perpetuate their interest in pursuing their goals further," said Banfield. "In fact, several School of Rock alums from other states are now attending Berklee College."

And several Berklee students are going to be teaching at the School of Rock in Watertown.

"We've got teachers who are in bands, some who are Berklee students, and some who are School of Rock alumni," said Bill Galatis, the new school's music director.

Galatis, who grew up in Winchester, has toured with bands for more than 10 years.

He currently plays in the local band Sleeprunner.

Another teacher, Joe Pessia, currently plays with former Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt's new band, DramaGods.

"Right now, we're starting out with five teachers, one for each instrument -- guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboards -- and we'll staff up as necessary as the classes get bigger," Galatis said.