UK's largest rock school is opening in Edinburgh

The UK's largest rock school network is opening its doors in Edinburgh this Friday.

The Rock Project, which teaches 7-18-year-olds how to play guitar, bass, drums and sing, is opening at George Watson’s College in Morningside.

The two-hour long after-school sessions see professional musicians tutor students to perform as a band.

Matthew Lewis from The Rock Project set up a similar school in North Berwick in 2016 and is now bringing the sessions into the centre of the capital.

“We’ve been running North Berwick for a few months but have had enquiries from parents in Edinburgh, so we felt the time was right to open here,” he said.

“We are really excited to be opening in Edinburgh and already have some really talented young musicians coming along to the sessions.”

The weekly schools, which have separate sessions for juniors, aged 7-11, and seniors from 11 to 18 years old, are a real family affair, with Michael’s son Joshua working as a drum tutor.

For the first half of each session students are tutored in their chosen instrument. During the second hour they put what they’ve learnt into practice and come together to play as a band.

“Along with learning to play the music they love, it is genuinely inspiring to see how much The Rock Project students grow, both as musicians and in confidence, through taking part in sessions,” Matthew added.

The Rock Project has a network of more than 60 schools across the UK and Ireland, making it the country’s leading school for children’s contemporary music tuition.

The Rock Project sessions will be held every Friday at George Watson’s College, Colinton Road, Edinburgh. Junior sessions take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm with senior sessions running from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. All of the instruments are supplied.

For further details visit www.therockproject.com.