Rock School Music Program Receives Acts of Excellence Award

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 30, 2023, the South Dakota Hall of Fame took delight in honoring the Rock School Music Program in Rapid City with an Act of Excellence Award for its work for over 20 years in Music. Board Director Brad Haupt of Rapid City presented the award to the owner of Rock School, Mr. Scott Miller.

The Rock School Music Program started as a part-time, after-school program for students ages 8 – 18, and has since grown into a year-round program. Students are placed into bands according to their age and ability, with a focus on building skill and confidence. Students have the opportunity to choose a band name, and the songs their band will play. There is weekly practice culminating with a concert at the end of each semester.

Students find that the Program is fun and it teaches much more than music. Students gain confidence and life skills. Another commented, “Rock School stretched me beyond the kinds of things that I only like, I learned to work with others”. Another student stated, “it’s like belonging to a family–a really loud and rocking family.” Some students have spent their entire years, through high school graduation, as a student of Rock School.

Mr. Scott Miller is the owner of the Rock School Music Program and his son, Scotty, has taken over many of the lessons as well. Scott Miller has been inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his own extraordinary work as a musician, and he noted, “being recognized by the SD Hall of Fame with an Act of Excellence award is as big of an honor. He placed his Acts of Excellence award proudly on the Steinway Piano, next to his SD Rock and Roll Induction plaque. 

The SD Hall of Fame is a statewide 501c3 organization designed to Inspire, Honor, and Educate, its mission is To Champion a Culture of Excellence. CEO Laurie Becvar shared, “one of the major ways we live out our mission is through the Act of Excellence Program where we recognize the stellar work of organizations, individuals, and community projects. “ Acts of Excellence was originally sponsored by Sanford Health and the Rock School Music Program is among twelve distinguished awards in 2023. Applications for 2024 awards will be available on the SD Hall of Fame’s website in January and February of 2024, with awardees chosen and made in May and June of 2024.