Naperville Music Rocks for Students of All Ages

When started its Rock School, big hair was in, video was just taking off and live performing was every bands goal.

Just as big hair is no longer the fashion (thankfully), the music business has evolved. Video is standard and with the advent of cheap technology it is easier for bands to make and distribute music online and through CDs, according to the store’s owner.

Back in 1984, Naperville Music launched its Rock School to bring the rock experience to its music students. Although there may be on the block offering similar classes, the family-owned business has been offering its program for almost 30 years, growing and changing with the times.

“Back in those days the focus was to play live in a band,” said Rich Karnuth, the store’s owner. “Everywhere you went had live music and everybody was in a band. Every place that served alcohol had a band.”

Now the emphasis for many bands and performers has switched from live performing to producing and recording music, which has become easier because of advances in technology and personal computers, he said. The cost is not as prohibitive as it once was.

Students often begin taking music classes and then decide to add in the rock program, which culminates with a live performance at a local venue. The most recent live performance took place in March at Mullen’s Bar and Grill in Lisle.

But the business doesn’t focus only on rock, it also offers ensemble programs for woodwind and string players, Karnuth said. A number of recitals take place throughout the year. Not to mention the individual music lessons it offers.

Naperville Music opened in 1974 and started with about three employees, Karnuth said. He owns the business with partner Mark Gardner.

“I was a guitar player back in those days,” he said. “Being a musician led us to be music store people.”

Today the business has between 35 and 40 employees, he said, adding that more than 20 teachers offer instruction to hundreds of students each week.

The store sells pianos and guitars, including some that are limited edition or hard to find, rents and sells instruments and offers music lessons and the rock school.

Although the majority of the music students are youths, about one-third of its students are adults, he said.

 “It’s very popular,” Karnuth said. “A lot of adults wanted to play an instrument and for reasons, whether time or money, they didn’t do it. Or, they had to stop … and always wanted to continue.”

The music classes are geared to the individual student, Karnuth said. For an adult the learning path is different than it is for a younger student. The classes are also based on a student’s ability, what they hope to achieve and ensures that they learn the basics.

Sometimes the instructors must make sure that parents and students are on the same path, Karnuth said.

“If you have a guy who wants to be in a band but has parents who want him to play acoustic guitar and read notes, he probably isn’t going to be successful,” he said. “So we try and give him the education he needs to be in a band, but also understand the fundamentals. Our goal is to keep it fun so the kids want to keep coming back and playing.”

Parents should always let the child choose the instrument they want to play and not the instrument the parent wants them to play, he said. If that instrument is piano or drums, there are digital versions, which have advantages, such as taking up minimal space and not making a lot of noise.

It is also possible to rent instruments, if they are too expensive to purchase or if there is a concern that the student won’t continue.

For parents with tiny tots whom they want to expose to music at an early age, Naperville Music will soon be launching a “little rockers” program, said Nate Swygert, the store’s educational director.

The children will have the opportunity to learn about rhythm and instruments, sing and enjoy music. There will be two classes: one for children 18 months to 2 years old, which will require parental participation; and a class for 3- to 5-year-olds where parental participation would be optional, Swygert said.

“In addition to folk songs that children normally learn, we will also have a focus on rock songs, the songs [parents] learned growing up, that their kids will get to learn.”

For more information about the little rocker program contact Nate Swygert at Naperville Music 630-355-1404 ext. 106. Music lessons are $23 for a half-hour lesson once a week. To learn more about the store visits: www.napervillemusic.com