Chris Morris walks onto the stage; he has prepared for this moment weeks in advance. He walks under the spotlights, scanning the cheering crowd as the entire band follows the rhythm of the bass.

Morris attends the School of Rock, a program that teaches many elements of rock music, and hosts group band rehearsals. He plays bass guitar and drums with his fellow bandmates.

Morris described his role in the band.

“I play bass guitar and drums. I am one of the older, more experienced kids now so I am often the leader of the band. People follow me and I am responsible for keeping the group together,” Morris said.

Morris’s father, Steve, explained how the family supports Morris in his pursuit of music.

“We pay for weekly private lessons on bass and drums, and also pay for Chris to participate in a group performance program that puts on rock concerts four times per year at local music venues like Brothers Lounge and Beachland Ballroom. I’ve attended and shot video at all sixteen of Chris’ live performances, which include [songs from] The Doors, Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Queen, Aerosmith and Motown,” he said.

One of Morris’s friends in the band, Tallulah Swasey, plays drums and guitar at the school. She commented on how the bassist is important to the sound of the songs.

“The bassist is very vital to the band. It’s kind of an underrated instrument because people don’t really realize that without a bassist, the songs don’t sound as full or dynamic,” Swasey said.

Steve also explained how Morris got first interested in music.

“[Morris] attended a live rock show in Columbus where his cousin Cole was performing in a rock music program. [Morris] enjoyed seeing all of the young kids rocking out and having fun on stage, and soon after he asked to take bass lessons,” Steve said.

Morris explained when his band gets together to practice their songs.

“We practice on Saturdays from 2:15 to 6:00. I addition to that I have private lessons with an instructor to help improve my playing skill,” Morris said.

Morris described his relationship with members of the band, who are close friends, and mentioned that they associate with each other even outside of the band.

“I’m very good friends with a lot of my band mates. I’ve know a lot of them since I first started in seventh grade so we know each other pretty well. I’ve even gone to parties and school dances and even formed a separate band with some of my closer friends from School of Rock,” Morris said.

Steve described what he thinks is Morris’s greatest achievement in his music career.

“Last year [Morris] had the opportunity to perform on stage at the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland. They put on a punk rock show featuring songs from Green Day, The Offspring and Rancid. It was amazing to see him play bass and drums at that venue where many rock legends have performed. I was really proud of how he performed there, with great musical skill and entertaining and commanding stage presence,” he said.

Morris mentioned how often the band performs in a year.

“I perform about four to six times a year. We perform at a variety of different restaurants and clubs but the coolest place I’ve played at was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland,” Morris said.

Morris’s father described the effect that Morris’s involvement in the band has had on their family.

“[Morris’] participation in School of Rock has changed how I listen to music. I pay much more attention to the musical contributions of each instrument in a song, especially the bass. He has also expanded my musical horizon by introducing me to Motown artists like James Jamerson and the sound of punk bands like Rancid,” he said.

Morris explained how his involvement in the band has strengthened his social skills, such as leadership and communication.
“It has become much easier for me to speak in front of people because I’m comfortable being in front of people now,” Morris said.

According to his father, Morris has made new friends through School of Rock, learned responsibility with other band members depending on him, and gained great confidence from performing on stage.