Making music in Rocky Hill: Rock House School of Music opens

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

John McCarthy is no one hit wonder. In fact, his resume rocks. He is a big-picture thinker, problem solver, and influencer. This musician, educator and entrepreneur will soon open his third branch of Rock House School of Music in Rocky Hill.

“West Haven was the first,” said the guitarist who started composing his story by starting to play an instrument at the age of 6.

McCarthy turned the house where he grew up into a music school after starting to teach in his parents’ basement when he was only 15 years old. That success led to selling books, instructional VHS and DVDs – it was the ‘80s and ‘90s – and a second studio in Wallingford according to the “20-minute away” magic formula.

The studio colors rock, just like the music. (submitted)

“Parents don’t like to drive more than that,” McCarthy said.

He followed the same equation to land the Rocky Hill location at 1834 Silas Deane Highway on which 30,000 vehicles travel daily near the easy-on, easy-off exit to I-91.

The building is branded in bright yellow, across from the Kohl’s plaza, and there’s a Rock House School of Music sign. It’s hard to miss.

A grand opening date is pending and the planned parking lot party will rock. McCarthy can’t wait to enrich the region with more music.

“We look for areas that don’t have a lot of music schools. Had some students coming from Rocky Hill to Wallingford. Parents said that Rocky Hill really needs something like this. Took the advice of the people and thought we’d be a good addition to the community,” he said.

John McCarthy admires his latest dream come true, his third music school in the state. (submitted)

The meaning of enrichment is no song and dance for McCarthy.

“Music changes lives,” he said, before riffing about one student who was shy and bullied at school and built confidence through her singing lessons.

“Music is a creative outlet for kids. Instead of getting into trouble, they go home and work on a song. And it’s not just kids. Retirees need something fun and productive and creative,” he said.

Music can help fight arthritis as well as keeps their minds sharp. This “music knows no age” attitude helps the business, founded in 1986, maintain a 100 percent recommendation rating on its Facebook page based on student and parent feedback.

“It helps academically, spiritually, mentally, everything.”

But music bringing meaning to people’s lives is not McCarthy’s biggest selling point.

Rock House School of Music, which has rocked its reputation since 1986, has come to Rocky Hill. (submitted)

“The biggest thing is the curriculum. We have an award-winning curriculum based on common chords, the meat and potatoes you need to learn an instrument. We focus on that. A lot of other schools focus on playing a song. We focus on 10 common chord progressions used in 80-percent of songs. It makes it easier for them,” he said.

KEYTAB is McCarthy’s patented system that makes learning the piano keyboard, and thus music, fast and easy. It features a unique music staff that separates left- and right-hand notes along with a color-coded guide that fits behind the keys.

Being able to play songs in weeks instead of a year seems to be the instant gratification that works, especially with today’s youth. Or as McCarthy spells out on his website, “if you’re ready to rock the keys, KEYTAB is the way to roll.”

What students over the years have been able to appreciate is his keen ability to make music fun and easy.

“Make it easy to understand and to reach people” said the man who has sold three million DVDs.

Not only has McCarthy been “creating musicians since 1986,” he also creates music, working side-by-side with top artists including Doug Wimbish of Living Colour as well as other performers who have rocked with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Madonna and Annie Lennox.

In this age of branding a “music school for a new generation” sometimes going “old school” works just fine. Sure, social media is important, but so is word of mouth.

“We pride ourselves on our reputation,” he said, adding the tagline “learn better, rock harder,” with lessons in piano, drums, bass guitar, ukulele and vocals.

This one-on-one teaching with certified instructors comes with a price tag that not everyone can afford. He has an answer for that, his Teach Kids Music Foundation that providies scholarships to talented musicians who need some financial assistance. RHL

For more information about Rock House School of Music log on to rockhouseschool.com or find it on Facebook.