School of Rock at Upton youth club encourages young people to step away from their computers and play a musical instrument

Aug 12 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

TEENAGERS in Upton are studying at their very own school of rock.

The initiative at The Bank youth club on Church Road, which was launched eight months ago, is giving budding musicians lessons in playing drums, guitar, bass or keyboard.

Members also get the chance to play in a gig and record an album.

Organisers hope the rock star lessons will encourage more young people to play musical instruments.

Malcolm Kidd, senior youth worker at The Bank, said: “The School of Rock is proving incredibly popular with teenagers in Upton.

“Many of them were put off learning a musical instrument at a young age because they had to study classical music and take exams.

“We try to make it more fun by getting them to practice in bands and even perform at gigs.”

Around 40 young people aged between 12 and 18 regularly attend the School of Rock.

Funding for musical instruments has been provided by the government’s Youth Opportunities Fund.

Malcolm added: “It means they’re getting to meet young people in the village they wouldn’t normally mix with.

“A lot of them used to go straight home from school to play on their computers, so they missed out on the opportunity to make friends with other teenagers in Upton.

“The School of Rock has helped to give young people something to do in the evenings, and it encourages them to socialise as well.”

Each School of Rock runs over 12-weeks and new members can sign up at the start of a term. Tuition is provided by experienced and professional standard musicians.

The youth club is celebrating its 10th anniversary on October 14 with an evening of music, dance, theatre and film at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton.

For more information on the School of Rock visit www.thebank.org.uk or call 677 1186.