Rock 'n' Pop Summer School - Change of Venue
St. Lawrence College has managed to save an annual Thanet music event from cancellation at the last moment, says Guitar and Bass Tutor, Simon Pressley.
Due to delays in the building work at King Ethelbert School in Birchington, the Rock School could not be accommodated there this summer – which was a big blow to the organisers and students involved in this event, all of whom relish the chance to create and perform for the four-day event. “Through no fault of their own, King Ethelbert’s cannot fit in the event, because of complications with the building work,” said Simon. “I’m so glad that St. Lawrence College have managed to step in at the last moment and that Rock ‘n’ Pop School can now run from Monday 24th to Friday 28th August. All of us in the School, especially the students, are very grateful for their help!” he continued.
Drum Tutor Dave Neal, who is the drummer with 1970s rock icon Suzi Quattro, has been working with Simon on every event. “If you want to develop as a musician you need to seriously network with as many other musicians as possible and Rock School is a great catalyst for this, along with the passing on of the experience gained through many years of playing ‘ on the road’”.
The young musicians, aged between 11 and 18, will be put into bands according to their ability and then schooled in performance skills, techniques, timing, band dynamics and different styles of songs. Students will then perform their work on stage and be awarded certificates of attendance.
Members of ‘Purity’, the band that became finalists in the national talent competition ‘Live and Unsigned’, will be joining the team once again to share their ongoing experiences with the Rock ‘n’ Pop School classes.
“Purity, along with our other young helpers are a key ingredient in our Rock ‘n’ Pop Summer School, as they can share their present day experiences of playing concerts and recording in studios with our students,“ said Simon Pressley. “Being roughly the same age, they can really relate to each other!”
For all enquiries about Rock ‘n’ Pop School,
24th to 28th August 2009,
please contact: 01843 863700
Pictured here are the Headmaster Rev. Mark Aitken and Simon Pressley at the College
