The school that rocks will partner with the store that rocks when DePaul University’s School of Music and Virgin Megastore co-host a charity event Oct. 9 to benefit a scholarship fund for student musicians from DePaul’s well-respected music school.

The School That Rocks Benefit will feature live music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction of donated music CDs and memorabilia from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on three levels of the Virgin Megastore, 540 N. Michigan Ave. DePaul faculty, students and alumni musicians will perform, including trumpeter Bob Lark, director of DePaul’s Jazz Ensemble; the DePaul Woodwind Quintet; and The Renegades fusion band. The benefit theme references the School of Music’s inclusion in “Schools That Rock,” a guidebook of the best music schools and rock scenes in the nation issued by Rolling Stone magazine last year.

“This will be a fun, music-filled evening that benefits the next generation of Chicago’s musicians,” said Donald Casey, dean of the School of Music. “Our scholarship fund allows the School of Music to give talented students a chance to study with a stellar faculty, who are drawn from prestigious musical organizations such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera.”

Steadfastly dedicated to excellence in music instruction and performance since it was founded in 1912, DePaul’s School of Music selectively enrolls nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate students based on musical auditions and academic ability. Degrees are offered in performance, composition, music education, jazz studies, sound recording technology and performing arts management.

Tickets to the School That Rocks Benefit are $100 per person. Contact Anne Schmitz, at 312/362-7178 or aschmitz@depaul.edu for reservations and information.