Jean-Paul Gaster, drummer of rock band Clutch, jams with students at School of Rock St. Paul, in St. Paul Minnesota. Clutch is on tour with Motorhead. While in Minneapolis, MN for their sold out show at rock club First Ave., Jean-Paul came to School of Rock before their gig to share his knowledge about drumming and being a professional musician with the students. Then he jammed with the School of Rock rock music students.

The parents I think would be the most amazed in a “Grade Your Parents” program are the parents who are too actively involved in their children’s education. The term for them is “helicopter parents” because they hover over their child. I know, because I was one! I didn’t know it at the time, but you know what they say, hindsight is 20/20.

School of Rock Scholarship Fundraising Concert and Silent Auction – Jan. 29, 2011 at Bogarts in Apple Valley, MN. Noon – 3pm. All ages. $10 at the door.

School of Rock Presents the music of Jimi Hendrix and the musicians of the 90s. These all ages concerts run back-to-back on Saturday, Jan 15 and Sun, Jan 16 at PrimeTime in Burnsville, MN

Nickelodeon sponsors Rock The Universe, a kids New Years Eve Party at Mall of America. Little kids will enjoy Nickelodeon characters, magicians and circus acts. Teens and tweens will rock out to the live music of School of Rock’s Road Crew, create their own music video and play Microsoft’s new video game Kinect.

Blatant Youth Competes in Famous Dave’s FINALS Battle of the Bands

Why is that just because music lessons are fun they aren’t considered educationally valuable? I would argue that music lessons are so influential in a child’s life, they should come before any other class in terms of importance. They influence a child’s ability to learn math, english, reasoning, listening. In a group environment they teach teamwork, leadership, followership, compromise. And they positively influence a child’s self esteem. What other subject does all that for your child?

Does your child want to be a professional musician? How do you feel about that? Do you encourage them to pursue their dream or guide them down a safer path?

Buying any musical instrument for a beginner can be a daunting task for parents. Do you spend a lot of money to be sure they have the best? Or do you get the cheapest in case they don’t stick with it? In some instances, it doesn’t matter. But with others, it matters a lot.

Buying a drum set for a beginner is one of those times it matters the most.

Mark Erwin, professional singer, graduate of the Institute of Production and Recording and currently Manager of the St. Paul, MN branch of the Paul Green School of Rock Music in St. Paul, shared these tips for vocalists who want to front for a rock band.