The Best Audition Songs for School of Rock – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for School of Rock? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for School of Rock, broken down by character.
Since School of Rock is a contemporary musical with a classic rock vibe, most of the following are either contemporary showtunes or non-musical theatre pop/rock songs from the 1970s/1980s.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (uptempo, pop/rock, etc.). For School of Rock auditions, you might even be asked to play an instrument! Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
IMPORTANT: If given the option, I would suggest using a backing track rather than bringing in sheet music for the rock songs below.
Step 2: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to listen to the School of Rock cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.
And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or supporting role!
To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
Dewey Finn
“Cold as Ice” – Foreigner [1970s/non-theatre]
“Hot for Teacher” – Van Halen [1980s/non-theatre]
“I’m Not That Guy” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson [censor profanity]
“Start Me Up” – The Rolling Stones [1980s/non-theatre]
Rosalie Mullins
“If This Is What We’re Fighting For” – The Beautiful Game
“My House” – Matilda
“The Man With the Child in His Eyes” – Kate Bush [1970s/non-theatre]
“To Build a Home” – The Bridges of Madison County
Summer
“I Got Nerve” – Hannah Montana [2000s/non-theatre]
“Lunch Box” – Junie B. Jones
“Now I See” – Junie B. Jones
“Top Secret Personal Beeswax” – Junie B. Jones
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Note From Linda” – The Wedding Singer
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Pat Benatar [1980s/non-theatre]
“Separate Ways” – Journey [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Rebel Yell” – Billy Joel [1980s/non-theatre]
“Second Nature” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Whatsername” – Green Day/American Idiot
Ensemble (Basses)
“C’est La Vie” – Emerson Lake & Palmer [1970s/non-theatre]
“Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” – Crash Test Dummies [1990s/non-theatre]
“Something About Her” – Pretty Woman
Ensemble (Contras)
“Kick Me” – Now. Here. This.
“Step One” – Kinky Boots
“Turn Off the Dark” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Love is a Battlefield” – Pat Benatar [1980s/non-theatre]
“Saturday Night In The City” – The Wedding Singer
“What About Love?” – Heart [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Good Kid” – The Lightning Thief
“Heaven Can Wait” – Meat Loaf [1970s/non-theatre]
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – The Who’s Tommy
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“Electricity” – Billy Elliot
“No Matter What” – Whistle Down the Wind
“Ring of Keys” – Fun Home
“Sticks & Stones” – Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for School of Rock:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “The Drama Department” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “The Swamp” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “Trolling 101” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Wanted: A Superhero Sister” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
School of Rock Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in School of Rock, along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! The following is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act 1:
“I’m Too Hot For You” – No Vacancy
“When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – Dewey
“Horace Green Alma Mater” – Students, Teachers
“Here at Horace Green” – Rosalie
“Variation 7” / “Children of Rock” – Dewey, Ned
“Queen of the Night” – Rosalie
“You’re in the Band” – Dewey, Students
“If Only You Would Listen” – Students
“In the End of Time (A Cappella Version)” – Dewey
“Faculty Quadrille” – Teachers
“In the End of Time (Band Practice)” – Dewey, Students
“Stick It to the Man” – Dewey, Students
“In the End of Time (The Audition)” – Dewey, Students
“Stick It to the Man (Reprise)” – Dewey, Students
Act 2:
“Time to Play” – Summer, Students
“Math is a Wonderful Thing” – Dewey, Students
“Where Did the Rock Go?” – Rosalie
“School of Rock (Band Practice)” – Dewey, Students
“Dewey’s Confession” – Dewey, Rosalie, Patty, Ned, Parents
“If Only You Would Listen (Reprise)” – Tomika, Students
“I’m Too Hot for You (Reprise)” – No Vacancy
“School of Rock” – Dewey, Students
“Stick It to the Man (Encore)” – Dewey, Students
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for School of Rock did you choose?
And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.