“School of Rock” might be every classic rock nerd’s favourite film, but over in America, one music school has brought Jack Black’s dream to life! When the kids of the real-world School of Rock AllStars program (students in the school’s top 1%) got together for a wicked rendition of “Toxicity” by System Of A Down, their showstopping cover went viral, amassing over 2.2 million YouTube views in just two years!
These AllStar students are only aged from 12 to 17, but slay this cover like they’re fill-in musicians for System Of A Down themselves. Their intro riffs wed metal chaos with thick, blanketing chords; and as the young female singers, Kaylee and Ramona, sway with an air of bubblegum pop about them, Music Man listeners will be instantly stunned by how solid their voices sound against the cutting distortions.
We’ve seen countless clips of musical child geniuses and ultra-talented kids here at The Music Man. But this School of Rock vid blows them all out of the water, and for one reason only. These kids’ talents are clearly being nurtured as total individuals, each musician and vocalist given astounding opportunities to carve their own stunning authenticity into the cover, from Ramona’s trademark vocal techniques to the mystifying sound of the band.
Countless kids would be scared to express themselves so uniquely. But these All-Stars are trained to embrace it.
And the result is 100% refreshing. While most young performers are still finding their path and solidifying the quirks that will make them icons, these School of Rock students have it all in the bag already. Guitarists Dean, Lex, and Roger attack the track like pro session musicians; their chemistry with bassist Calvin and drummer Jeff is as vivid as if they’ve been band bros for years. That’s not to mention their astounding skill in covering a schizo-metal System Of A Down song in the first place.
Formed in late ’90s Philadelphia and now boasting over 300 worldwide locations across 16 countries, the real-world School of Rock program helps “aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity and develop tools they need to thrive in life with our patented, performance-based curriculum.”
But to inspire such a smash-hit music movie, School of Rock clearly isn’t your usual music school. Just like Jack Black’s iconic character, School of Rock teachers adopt a polar opposite approach to standard musical tutorship. As their website reveals: “The conventional method of music instruction is that you must master musical concepts before you move on to play songs that actually inspire you. Our approach is different. You start by learning to play and perform the songs that inspire you, and through that process, you will develop mastery of music theory with the added benefit of knowing how to play with others.”
The AllStars kids are the cream of the crop — taking the top 1% of School of Rock’s students from around the world and offering extra-special opportunities to kickstart their music careers. Some of these past high achievers have gone on to become professional Broadway musicians, touring artists, TV talent show finalists, with some even signing record deals and landing notable roles in the music industry. Check out the documentary in the video above to find out more about the real School of Rock and hear from the AllStar students themselves!
The School of Rock AllStars have truly captured the essence of “Toxicity” with their viral sensation, proving that age is no barrier to musical mastery. These young talents have reimagined a classic, infusing it with their own unique artistry. Interested in experiencing more from these rising stars? Check the links below for further discoveries.