New school aims to help young rock music stars
BUDDING rock stars will be given the chance to learn from professional musicians at a new school opening in Cardiff in the new year.
The Rock Project Cardiff will hold weekly sessions with professional gigging musicians to teach seven to 18-year-olds how to play guitar, bass, drums and sing in a band.
Starting on January 8, at St Peter’s Community Hall in Fairwater, the team of tutors is led by guitarist Ben Tiffin who runs three similar rock schools in Swansea. It has always been an ambition of mine to open a rock school in the capital of the land of song and I’m delighted with the incredible interest already being shown ahead of the launch,” the father of three said.
“It also means that by opening in Cardiff we have a great variety of live music venues to choose from when it comes to performing gigs.
“I know from experience that The Rock Project has a ground-breaking attitude to musical tuition which stimulates the imagination and creativity of young people. It helps them develop not only their musical abilities but also their personalities. It also boasts their confidence to get up and perform in front of an audience which is a great opportunity for them.”
Ben, who plays guitar for the rock band The Flames and teaches RE at a comprehensive school said the Rock Project formula appeals to him because it is so different to a classroom environment.
He added: “There is an emphasis on fun and the students get to play the music they love from day one which is really important in enhancing the entire experience for them.
“The fact that they play in front of their tutor, then fellow students and finally take part in a full-scale concert at the end of the year, really helps build their musicality and creates binding friendships with youngsters who have the same interests.”
The Rock Project is divided into a session for seven to 11-year-olds (5pm-7pm) and 12 to 18-year-olds (7pm-9pm). It will take place every Tuesday at St Peter’s Community Hall. All of the instruments are supplied.
■ For more details visit therockproject.com, email cardiff@therockproject.com or call 07879 552253.