School of Rock House Band to Play at Rock-4-Peace Benefit

The School of Rock House Band comprises the school’s most advanced and dedicated students, 18 in total, that tour the area playing music and representing the school.

House Band students are not only the most advanced students, but also those that set the best examples musically and socially, said Eric York, House Band co-director and guitar instructor.

The House Band frequently plays at events that raise community awareness of social causes, and when Karen Kessler asked the House Band to play at Rock-4-Peace, hosted by CISV Philadelphia, the band said, “We’re in.”

The Rock-4-Peace event will benefit CISV, a program that believes peace is possible through friendship, and the real difference in our society begins with our children.

Kessler’s sons, Sam and Ben, are also part of the Fort Washington School of Rock House Band. The boys attend Wissahickon Middle School and are active members of CISV Philadelphia.

The House Band plays covers of popular rock music. Band members are rotated for each song, so not all 18 band members are on stage all the time. The band also has a set list of acoustic, mellow and more intimate songs for playing smaller venues or coffee shops.

York said the school chooses songs to both highlight the students' strengths and to challenge them musically. The band is designed to best represent the school and what the students accomplish during the year.

House Band member Jessie Wexler, a student at Upper Dublin High School, said he found School of Rock when he saw a flyer at the grocery store.

“It was something I had been waiting for … Ever since I found this place, it’s been like a second home,” he said.

Jessie has been a House Band member for two years. Members are selected via invitation from Jim Love, the school's music director, Jessie said.

House Band members are seen as leaders. They help the younger students practice, they set good examples for new and current students, and other students look up to them because everyone is trying to become part of the House Band.

Although it’s a huge commitment from the students, giving up a lot of time and even weekends, the students in the House Band love to perform, and the opportunities they are given through School of Rock are once-in-a-lifetime events.

“That’s what I love about this place. They give you [your] dream,” said Jessie.

Members of the House Band are Ted Dennis, 14; Alyssa Adoni, Andrew Schwartz, Ben Schwartz, Cory Hite, Devin Hughes, Jessie Wexler and Nicole Schaefer, all 15; Chris Rudisill, Griffin Brown, Josh Lesser, Natalie Fava, Nathan Hurdle, Nick Myers, Spenser Forwood and Josh Lesser, all 16; and Joe Getsy and Alex Rudisill, 18.

The Fort Washington School of Rock opened in January of 2007, and enrollment grew rapidly. The school admits students ages 8 to 18 years of age and teaches them music, as well as stage presence.

Outside of the House Band concerts, the school hosts concerts to showcase all of its students. The events and concert schedule can be found on its website.

Also performing at Rock 4 Peace is Threadbare Youth, whose members include Gabe, 17, a student at Montgomery County Community College, who plays the drums; Sam Roland, 18, Northeast Preparatory Academy of the Arts, on guitar; Sam Boles, 17, Cheltenham High School, on bass; Aidan Erickkson, 15, North Penn High School, vocals; and Andrew Migliore, 17, Cheltenham High School, on guitar.

The event will be held at the School of Rock, 425A Delaware Ave. in Fort Washington, Friday, April 29, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online.