East Rochester High School's Coffeehouse series was founded in 1997 by HS Librarian Brian Regan as a very loose, afterschool gathering of students and faculty with an interest in performing acoustic music and poetry. Since then, it has grown into a regular, monthly event involving dozens of performers and audiences typically approaching 100. The atmosphere is very relaxed and supportive, and first-time performers are encouraged.

Starting in 2004, we "went electric", plugging in our guitars and featuring student & faculty bands. So far, there have been 8 "Electric Coffeehouses" in the auditorium (2 per year), each bigger than the last. In addition, we have done a number of outdoor semi-acoustic shows. The January 2005 show raised over $500 for Tsunami Relief and was featured on local news channels. In 2006 we helped send Celtic Music Society on their trip to Salt Lake City, and raised money for Music Rising (support for New Orleans Musicians). The complete shows have been videotaped and broadcast on Cable Channel 12.

Students interested in audio and video assist in staging the events, and all the performers lend a hand. The acoustic coffeehouses continue as a "training ground" for new performers, while the electric shows feature more experienced students. With much-appreciated support from our music faculty and administration, the program continues to evolve and grow.