School of Rock Concert Benefits Charity

The School of Rock, an after school music education program that hopes to “inspire kids to rock on stage and in life,” performed a benefit at  in Farmingdale Wednesday night.

The event benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charity and consisted of three acts: The All Stars School of Rock, the Melville School of Rock and the Roslyn School of Rock.

Art Lima, the music director of the All Stars School of Rock, directed students as they played “Hush” by Deep Purple, “I Am The Walrus” by the Beatles, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees,” “I’ve Seen All Good People” by Yes, as well as “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin.

“This event is benefiting the Ronald McDonald House [who] provides housing for families with sick children,” Lima said. “Simultaneously, the musicians are afforded the opportunity to play at such notable venues as The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, and they are finishing up the Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which features Elvis Costello, Jane’s Addiction, among others.”

Following the All Stars, Patrick Castania, the music director of the Melville School of Rock, introduced his students. They performed five songs including “Hysteria” by Muse, which featured Paul Bisono on  vocals.

“It was an energetic tune and I thoroughly enjoyed performing it live on The Crazy Donkey stage,” said lead singer Bisono.

Melville School of Rock sang “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers, as well as “Paradise City,” by Guns N’  Roses, featuring Tom Bradbard on vocals and rhythm guitar.

The All Stars School of Rock returned for a five song mini-set that included “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince, “Limelight” by progressive rock band Rush, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, the powerhouse vocal “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2, and it concluded with a tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Something.”

“I would like to thank everybody for sticking around,” said Pete Scarlata, the music director of the Roslyn School of Rock, prior to introducing his musicians.

The Roslyn School of Rock sang the four tunes “Keep Me Hangin’ On” by the Supremes, “People Are Strange” by the Doors, Led Zeppelin’s “Living Loving Maid,” and ended with Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole.”

The All Stars returned for their fifth and final set which featured rock songs from the 1990s, since the show was a progression of rock through the decades.

 “It is an absolute pleasure for School of Rock to have our talented kids play at one of the best nightclubs in Long Island,” Scarlata said. “We’re here to raise money for a good cause."

For more information on the School of Rock and how much money was raised for Ronald McDonald House, please visit their official website, or call 877-556-6184.