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Rock U. to close temporarily; Winter Concert cancelled

We received new communications this afternoon from the Mairie de Paris and have again been in contact with the Santé Publique.  The Mairie has now instructed Associations in Paris to temporarily suspend all extrascholastic activities and all non-essential group activities beginning on Monday 16 March, even those involving very small groups.  Rock U. will remain open on Saturday 14 March for bands and private lessons.  We will then temporarily suspend all of our kids and teen bands, adult bands, and private lessons until further notice, starting on Monday 16 March. 

We will remain in consultation with public health and municipal authorities during this period of closure.  If it’s at all possible, we hope to reopen in time to begin our Spring Session on schedule on Friday 27 March.  We will update you as soon as any new information is available.

La Boule Noire, our wonderful concert venue, has also temporarily closed, and our Winter Concert for kids and teen bands on Sunday 22 March will be cancelled.  It really saddens us to deliver this news, as we can’t remember a Rock U. session when so many bands were absolutely crushing it in the studio.  We’re so sorry that they won’t have the opportunity to play onstage on 22 March and show the world what they can do.  We will consider every possible way to give these amazing kids another chance to perform when circumstances once again allow.

Clearly these events may necessitate other changes to our calendar for the academic year.  It is our goal to do whatever we can to minimize the disruption these events are causing to your musical life as we consider all the options, and we welcome both your input and your patience as we figure this out together.

If you take private lessons at Rock U., you may able to continue these lessons remotely via Skype or Zoom.  Please contact your lesson teacher directly to discuss whether this could work for you.

For the third time in 24 hours, we have the opportunity to tell you how much we appreciate your patience and understanding.  Many of you have expressed to us how much it means to be a part of this musical community, and it means very much to us that you’re part of it, too.  We also want to say how sorry we are that we’re not able to stay open during a time when good fellowship and musical inspiration are sure to be things we’ll all need more of in our daily lives.  We eagerly look forward to resuming this as soon as possible.  And while you’re stuck at home, pick up an instrument… and play some music!

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How we are responding to COVID-19

Dear Rock U. participants and parents,

First off, we want to express our hopes that you are all doing well amidst the current climate of tension and uncertainty.  Music is a powerful mood adjuster, so apply it abundantly!  And of course we hope you are all in the best of health.

We wanted to let you know a bit about the status of Rock U. activities and our planning for whatever may come.

Bands and lessons:  Rock U. Bands and lessons will continue as normal until further notice, or until the situation changes.  We have been in direct contact with both the Mairie du 7ème and the Santé Publique, who have reaffirmed the guidelines listed below:

  • Due to our small group sizes, participation in Rock U. bands or lessons doesn’t pose any particular risk over any other activity.
  • Please exercise the same common-sense precautions you would before engaging in any similar activity, such as work or school.  Wash your hands frequently.  If your child is sick (or if you are), please keep him or her home (or stay home yourself).  If you’ve been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, or have traveled to one of the regions subject to travel limitations, please follow the appropriate guidelines.  If you have a medical condition that might make you vulnerable to COVID-19, seek the advice of your doctor before participating in any public activities.
  • As always, we will continue to have the kids wash their hands before touching any of the instruments, and use disinfectant wipes in the band room to clean microphones. We will also be regularly wiping down shared objects like doorknobs and drumsticks after each use.
  • To date, Paris schools remain open. We have been advised by the Santé Publique that a closure of the public schools would not necessarily apply to Rock U. bands and lessons.  However, in the event that schools do close, we will continue to seek expert advice and act accordingly.

Rock U. concert 22 March:  You may be aware that large public gatherings such as concerts have been restricted in many affected regions, and that some restrictions already apply in France.   Again, we have been directly in touch with health authorities and the venue to monitor the situation, and for the moment, smaller concert venues like La Boule Noire remain open.  If nothing changes, the Rock U. concert will take place as scheduled next Sunday 22 March.

  • As with Rock U. bands, please apply the same common sense you would to a similar activity. Please don’t attend the concert if you’re sick or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.  The concert will be livestreamed as usual, so you can watch from home!
  • If your child is unable to attend the show, or would prefer not to participate, we understand. Our talented staff and assistants are there to accompany the bands if kids are missing, so your child shouldn’t feel any pressure to avoid letting down his or her band.
  • You can stay up to date on any information about the concert on the event page here.

A final note:  We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we all navigate some unfamiliar territory.  There is a lot of information floating around out there, some of it inaccurate, and it makes sense for all of us to apply moderation and common sense in both our information gathering and our information sharing.  We at Rock U. will continue to follow the situation closely, consult appropriate health authorities, and follow the official guidelines and rules provided.  We will of course inform you of any meaningful changes to the status of our programs.

And now… let’s get back to rocking!  Stay healthy and make music!

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Rock U. Winter Concert at La Boule Noire!

Rock U. Student Bands in Concert!

Please join us at historic Paris music venue La Boule Noire on 22 March for our 2020 Winter Concert!  As always, admission is free and all are welcome.

*14h-20h, doors open at 13h30
*Eighteen student bands
*Hits by Michael Jackson, The Eagles, Black Sabbath, Radiohead, Tame Impala, 5 Seconds of Summer, The Strokes, John Mayer, Coldplay, Marshmello, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elton John, and many more!

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Rock your Ski Break with Rock U.!

Join us for this school holiday rock music program!  If you already play an instrument or sing, or if you’ve always wanted to try drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and more, this program is for you.  You and your band will learn songs throughout the week, explore different music styles and instruments, and record your final performance!  All ability levels and all instruments welcome.

  • Two sessions: Feb 10-14 and 17-21
  • Two bands per session: 11h-12h30 (ages 8-11) and 13h30-15h (ages 12-15)
  • 195€ per week

Sign up here!  For more information, email matt@rock-u.fr.

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Rock U. Fall Concert at La Boule Noire!

What do these bands have in common?

All of the photos above were taken on the stage of legendary Paris concert venue La Boule Noire.  Each of these amazing bands, and many more – including Queens of the Stone Age, Franz Ferdinand, Phoenix, Linkin Park, Pavement, The Libertines, The Dandy Warhols, Two Door Cinema Club, and Coeur de Pirate, just to name a few – have performed here.  And now, on 15 December, the bands of Rock U. will step onto the same stage and become part of rock history!

Please join us at La Boule Noire on 15 December for our 2019 Fall Concert!  As always, admission is free and all are welcome.

*14h-20h, doors open at 13h30
*Seventeen student bands
*Hits by Queen, The Clash, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Daniel Caesar, AC/DC, Muse, Beastie Boys, Imagine Dragons, Blur, U2, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Maroon 5, Boney M., The Cure, Aerosmith, Arctic Monkeys, Nirvana, and many more!

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It’s Down to the Wire!

Rock U. is very proud to be nominated again by Expatriates Magazine as Best Afterschool Activity in Paris for 2019!  We won the award in 2017 and 2018, and we’re glad to have the chance to defend our crown.

Please click the button below to go to the Best Of Paris website and help us out with your vote.  It’s a very tight race right now, with Rock U. in second place just a few points behind the leader.  Voting closes on Friday 15 November at 13h Paris time.  Thank you for your support!

Vote for Rock U.!
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Rock your Toussaint break with Rock U.!

Join us for this school holiday rock music program!  If you already play an instrument or sing, or if you’ve always wanted to try drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and more, this program is for you.  You and your band will learn songs throughout the week, explore different music styles and instruments, and record your final performance!  All ability levels and all instruments welcome.

  • Two sessions: Oct 21-25 and 28-31
  • Two bands per session: 11h-12h30 (ages 8-11) and 13h-14h30 (ages 12-15)
  • 195€ first week, 160€ second week

To sign up, please email matt@rock-u.fr.

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Are you ready to ROCK? Enrollment for fall bands and lessons opens Mon 2 Sept

Summer’s almost over, and we are READY to ROCK.  If you’re ready too, click these links to learn more:

Kids and Teen Bands
Adult Bands
Private lessons

Enrollment opens online at 09h00 on Monday 2 September
•Enrollment is on a first-come, first served basis
•Returning students who register before 4 September will receive priority band assignment

Still need more information?  Please email matt@rock-u.fr

We’ll see you in the studio soon!  Let’s rock!

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Rock U. En Seine 2019 is one for the history books!

What an unbelievable weekend.  25 bands.  More than 100 songs.  More than 12 hours of music.  Sunshine and breezes, good vibes and good times, great memories and GREAT music.  Thank you to all who performed and all who supported the performers!  Special thanks to:

  • Mark Heim and Dan D’Amato, the Rock U. Board of Directors
  • Doug, our Assistant Dean, Andy, and Rory, our wonderful teachers, and Jason, Andrew, Leo, and Noah, our great studio assistants
  • Anthony, Chris, William, and Vincent, our awesome “alumni” road crew
  • Kevin, Leander, and Jonathan, our fantastic lesson teachers
  • Valerian and Michel, the great sound engineers at Bal de la Marine
  • Fabien and his team at Bal de la Marine, who took great care of us
  • Aleks and William, our amazing videographers
  • My wife Becky, who helped out in more ways than I can remember
  • And so many more I’m probably forgetting!  Thank you all!
What a year.  So what happens now?
Relive the fun: The concert may be over, but you can watch it over and over again on the Rock U. YouTube channel within a week or two.  Subscribe now to get notifications when the videos are ready!   Livestreams from all three days of the show already have more than 1500 views.  If you post photos and videos of the concert on Instagram, don’t forget to tag @rockuparis!
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Rock U. En Seine, 21-23 June at Bal de la Marine!

It’s here again, the best time of the year! Rock U. student bands from 8 to adult move up the river to Bal de la Marine to welcome summer the best way we know how, with three days of live music in the coolest spot in Paris!

  • Friday 18h-20h: Rock U. Adult Bands
  • Friday 20h-23h30: The Doodads (aka the Rock U. Instructor Band)
  • Saturday 14h-15h30: Rock U. Youth Bands (age 8-14)
  • Saturday 16h-17h30: Rock U. Teen Bands (age 14-18)
  • Saturday 18h-21h: Rock U. Varsity Bands (age 16-18)
  • Sunday 12h-13h: Rock U. Youth Bands (age 8-14)
  • Sunday 13h-15h: Rock U. Adult Bands

Free and open to all!

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