Pasadena Star-News: School of Rock lives in Pasadena

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The former Guns N’ Roses drummer – he’s now with Velvet Revolver – was dropping by to unveil a new drum set for the school, and to jam with about 50 eager students.

Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere buzzed with a low-level excitement, rose to a frenetic whisper, then exploded into riotous screams as Sorem entered.

Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit program aimed at filling gaps in public schools where music and arts funding has been obliterated in the economic crunch, brings celebrities like Sorem to schools to encourage the next generation of artists.

“We’re one of the leading organizations for free instruments and music programs,” said program coordinator Miranda Altman. “What we do is we get kids improvising, writing songs, performing popular music. These visits are a way to get kids excited about it.”

In Pasadena alone, Little Kids Rock serves around 900 students.

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