The Palace Theatre and Institute of Rock Music Partner to Provide A Local Downtown Venue for Young Musicians

Organizations Co-Host Open House for Students and Families on November 8

Teen band, Front Row

For 10 years, Crescendo Productions’ Institute of Rock Music has been providing instruction for aspiring young musicians by experienced, versatile and classically trained professionals. Its collaboration with The Palace Theatre began this year, when students culminated their training with live, professional performances as part of the Theatre’s Showcase 61 concert series. To mark an expanded partnership in which The Palace will provide a facility for the Institute’s ongoing programs, the two organizations will co-host their first Open House for potential students and their families.

The fun, music-filled event will be held at The Palace Theatre on Saturday, November 8, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm, and will include live music performances by local teen bands, Birdwalk, Front Row and Surge. Free snacks and giveaways will be on-hand for guests, and the Institute will hold a raffle for one month of free lessons.

“We are very excited to be taking our partnership with The Palace to the next level,” says Institute of Rock Music’s Director, Byl Cote. “Playing in a professional venue provides invaluable real-life experience for students as they hone their skills and learn to create, perform and record their own music.”

Rosarii Falvey, a trained pianist, music educator and founder of Crescendo Productions, opened the Institute of Rock Music in 2004. The students, on reaching a standard of proficiency demanded by the Institute, progress to play with a band where they would continue their musical studies but also perform with other like-minded students, thus developing team and listening skills as well as performing classic rock and contemporary music. In September 2014, together with the Stanwich School, Falvey developed a musical program for Pre-K and Kindergarten students in which children are introduced to rhythm and beat, musical notation, distinction and understanding of simple instruments from all over the world.

In its new Palace Theatre home, The Institute of Rock Music will be a year-round educational music facility that teaches kids how to play songs by their favorite artists and shows them how to analyze the songwriting of successful musicians and learn from the various techniques used to write, perform and record their own original compositions.

Showcase 61 first kicked off in Spring 2014 with a run of incredible performers entertaining sold-out crowds. Showcase 61, a true “listening experience” for all ages and audiences, recreates a New York club setting, featuring contemporary music artists in a relaxed atmosphere with café tables, waitress service, craft beers and local food offerings.