It is yet unknown which songs Vacaville’s School of Rock will teach for the upcoming Beatles Summer Camp, but “Drive My Car” probably isn’t one of them.
Chances are, most of the students aren’t old enough to get behind the wheel. Not that they can’t acknowledge the history, talent and global impact of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
“If you like any music at all, you have to appreciate them,” said Leslie Silver, owner and general manager of the Vacaville School of Rock, one of 217 franchises in the United States promoting performance-based music instruction.
Besides, Silver said by phone Tuesday, “Who doesn’t like the Beatles?”
Silver said the Aug. 2 through Aug. 6 camp will be her first coordinating Beatles material in Vacaville, though she’s seen it succeed at her former School of Rock in Geneva, Ill.
“It was one of the more popular camps,” said Silver, about 2 1/2 years into running the Vacaville School of Rock.
The Beatles’ catalog of around 250 tunes range from simple to complex. And that’s a good thing, says Silver.
“It’s a great way to get kids in a short time to understand,” she said.
After going Zoom during COVID, the School of Rock is back offering lessons in guitar, bass, vocals, drums, keyboards, and song writing.
Navigating around changing COVID-19 “so we can do this safely and get kids into school,” has been challenging, Silver said, with 160 active students.
“We’re starting to feel a little bit more comfortable,” she said, eagerly awaiting the Aug. 2 week with the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beatles instruction that ends with a performance for family members.
Silver expects about a dozen students with the age range 8 to 18.
“It depends who’s interested,” she said, emphasizing that “having the foundation of a little bit of music is always helpful.”
When the group meets initially, “I get a feel if they’ve played a particular instrument and if they want to try something new,” Silver said. “A lot depends on how quickly they learn things.”
Silver’s goal is for the students to learn five songs by week’s end.
“I don’t put pressure on them to have a large number,” she said. “It’s more about the process.”
It could be “I Am the Walrus.” Maybe “Yellow Submarine.”
“Or some of the ‘Helter Skelter’ stuff,” Silver said, referring to the song from the 1968 White Album.
Silver never was reluctant in bringing the Beatles to the kids.
“It’s amazing when you think of the Beatles and the age range of people that would hear a song and recognize it,” she said. “People don’t realize how much their music is intertwined in everyday life — whether you’re born in the 1960s or 1990s.”
The students will definitely pick up a few things about the Beatles’ global influence, Silver said.
“We always want to teach the history” of whatever the theme is at School of Rock, she added. “And it’s always fun to hear kids talk about what the music means to them. It can be any genre.”
No matter how many students sign up for Beatles Camp, Silver’s happy just to be in business after the pandemic shutdown.
“I can’t believe we’re still around,” she said. “We’re really happy because we have survived it. The community’s been amazing.”
Fortunately, continued Silver, “people are craving live music and interaction.”
Before Beatles Camp, the Vacaville School of Rock’s house band embarks on a Southern California tour on July 25 along with Schools of Rock from Roseville, Elk Grove, and Sacramento.
“It’ll be a fun experience for them. We’re super excited,” Silver said.
Adults “get how amazing it (the traveling) is,” Silver said. “I think they (the students) will look back at it and realize how unique it is, to do live performances as kids. It’s not easy to get out and play in front of people. They’ll be able to create memories you can’t duplicate.”
To help fund the trip, Vacaville’s noted band of brothers, Color Wild, plays a July 16 concert at Solano Brewing in Vacaville.
Watching the students improve from a Monday through Friday is part of the enjoyment, Silver said.
“I’m so excited every time I get a chance to hear them and see them perform, see them transform every time,” she said. “Kids come to us with anxiety and social challenges. This helps them work through it. It’s incredible watching them evolve.”
The Beatles Summer Camp is Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 322-B Park St. Vacaville. For more, call (707) 999-7625.
