Performing Arts

Joining us for the second year, School of Rock teaches guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, drums and combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals to prepare students to take the stage in front of live audiences in an authentic concert setting. Directed by Joe Pessia, the Show Team represents some of the finest students the school has to offer. Members are accepted by audition only and are given some of the most challenging music they can handle. We know you’ll agree—these kids Rock!

This year's School of Rock "Showteam" Band Includes: Molly Martin, Caroline Keppler & Kamryn Hoag on vocals; Matt Martin, Jan Schwartz & Evan Lo on guitar; Kate Martenis on vocals/keyboards; Jack McHaffey & Alex Santos on bass; Dana Goodwin on keyboards & drums; Joey Tassone & Robby Trevisani on drums; and Cameron Field on vocals & harmonica.

You’ve got to see how good these kids are…they are the future of Rock!

Four Noble Truths is a four piece rock group out of Boston. FNT is made up of singer and guitar player Cole Brightbill, bass player Henry Atwell, and twins John and Austin Brown on drums and guitar, respectively. Four Noble Truths started in late summer 2012, when Brightbill and the Brown twins teamed up to track their earliest records, Go Insane and Dare to Run.

Funded by their first place finish at Newton has Talent 2013, and with Atwell a new addition to the band, FNT tracked TeleTone, Write a Song, and Snowing in Boston. These tracks were produced by Paul Q. Kolderie, who formerly worked with Radiohead, Hole, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. After FNT's first place finish at the Rotary Club Rock'n RibFest Teen Band Competition in Nashua, New Hampshire, they gained some airplay on 106.3 Frank FM in New Hampshire. Snowing in Boston was played on the local show, DJ'd by Chris DeSimone.

FNT is currently playing gigs around the Boston area in venues such as the MIddle East, and The Center for the Arts in Natick, opening for acts like Tommy and the High Pilots, and Josh Logan of the Voice. Tell the kids Four Noble Truths are jamming in Crocker!

In October 2012, six 25+ year veterans of the North Shore/Boston music scene decided to get together out of a mutual appreciation for alternative country music, and The Bordellos were born. Inspired by artists such as Steve Earle, John Hiatt, Ryan Adams and Wilco among others, The Bordellos have set out to bring this new generation of outlaw country to the North Shore. They already have begun to build an audience.

Adam Antczak (Three Toad Sloth, Upstarts), Randy Hopkins (Vic Morrows, The Willows), Billy Grizell (The Willows, Steven Paul Perry), Jon Rosen (Vic Morrows, The Willows), Kevin Levesque (The Willows, Russ Lawton, Mr. Floods Party) and Cliff Goodman (Lois Lane & The Daily Planets, Vic Morrows, The Willows) are excited to have the opportunity to now bring it to the Marblehead Festival of Arts

In 2004, at the age of 16, John placed sixth overall on the 3rd season of Fox's American Idol. His mature crooning ability in the style of Frank Sinatra earned him millions of votes from viewers across America spawning his nickname "Teen Martin." After Idol, John toured the U.S.A. with the other finalists, performing in 49 shows in 46 cities and appearing on several national television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Late Show with David Letterman. In 2005 he recorded and released the chart-topping Red, his debut album under Maverick Records, after which he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Since graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2009, he has recorded many albums with New England's premier big band, The Beantown Swing Orchestra, and has begun work on his original music group, the John Stevens Band. The band is currently working on arranging and recording songs for their debut album, Mr. Nice Guy, which will feature original songs by John Stevens and arrangements by Danny Fratina. JSB is John Stevens on vocals, Danny Fratina on trumpet & Arranger, Randy Pingrey on trombone; Mike Wyatt on tenor sax; Eric Lane on piano, Carl Eisman on guitar, Brad Barrett on upright bass & Paul Geresy on drums.

The Declaration of Independence will be read by members of the Mugford Street Players that include Judith Black, Stephen Cooper, John Fogle and Hazel Grenham.

Epic in sound and kaleidoscopic in vision, the eclectic Martha's Vineyard-based six piece Entrain has been thrilling critics and fans alike since its inception.

Formed by drummer Tom Major in 1993, Entrain is also lead singer/guitar wiz Brian Alex and saxophonist/ keyboarist/percussionist Rob Loyot. Joining them is bassist M'Talewa, latin percussionist/saxophonist Hilary Noble and trombonist Lennie Peterson. Veterans all, their collective resume includes stints with such diverse players as Bo Diddley, Carly Simon, Chuck Berry, Southside Johnny, James Mongomery, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

Entrain has recorded eight albums, available on Dolphin Safe Records, all of which have been praised for their ability to shift effortlessly between musical styles—from rock, blues, calypso and ska, to zydeco, jazz and funk—often within the same song.

"The whole Entrain concept is based around the drums and infectious rhythms. Once we've got that.... anything goes, everything goes," explains Major.

"The most important thing that we try to do with our music is bring everybody together in the spirit of peace, love, fun and a ton of drums!" Entrain has been been described as "a funky, world, jam, ska, reggae, rock stew.....with enough drums to sink a battleship!"