ABOUT US

In September 2006, ROK SKOOL opened its doors on a world of musical creation, exploration and performance. Starting off with thirty-two students, the Skool rapidly expanded and now, at the start of our 2nd year, we have over 160 students:- eight bands, an adult choir and three rooms simultaneously resounding to the sound of vocal coaching, guitar, bass, drum and keyboard lessons, recording sessions and band rehearsals. Rok Skool is a vibrant, vibey place to be. If you add all the mums and/or dads roadying their kids and staying to watch, it’s a lot of people! And a fair number of those parents have actually taken up tuition themselves – it’s only a matter of time before ‘The Oldies’ is formed (and they’ll still be half the age of the Rolling Stones)!

But Rok Skool was essentially formed as a kids paradise - a rehearsal space with all the paraphernalia typical of a rock band - guitars, keyboards and percussion; amps, mics and recording equipment. Sixteens and over are clearly well catered for these days, but I know from the thrill it gave me to see The Beatles live on stage all those years ago when I was ten, by the time you hit Year Five in school you’re ready to Rock!

Essentially an after-school activity, ROK SKOOL comes alive every afternoon and evening, from Monday through to Friday, and all day Saturday. Over the course of the Skool year, many songs are developed, as we move towards public performance, either in local schools, or at our two annual shows at Clair Hall: THE ROK SKOOL COOL YULE SHOW (this year on December 22nd) and SKOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! (July 26th ’08). We shall be producing an annual ROK SKOOL CD, featuring the best of the original compositions developed in the Songwriting sessions. And there will also be the opportunity to enter BATTLE OF THE BANDS competitions.

Here is an environment where musical dreams become a reality for seven to sixteen-year olds as they plug in and play in the kind of rock ‘n roll cave until now only available to adults. There are lessons in GUITAR, DRUMS, BASS and POP/ROCK KEYBOARD; VOCAL COACHING and SONGWRITING. We offer one to one tuition, or teach in groups of two, three or four (sometimes it’s an advantage for a rookie bass player to learn alongside an aspiring drummer and two guitarists to develop a song together, sometimes school-friends want to learn together, and so on).

As beginners become more proficient, we offer them a place in one of the bands, which is rather like an upgrade on a long-haul flight: suddenly they are involved in photo sessions, gigs in local schools and the Rok Skool Shows, pictures in the Press, and enjoying the camaraderie and friendship of bandmates.

ROK SKOOL is Haywards Heath’s hot new ticket, a place where time and music fly!

OUR AIMS:

• To allow young people to experience the joy of playing modern music, live, unplugged or electric.
• To bring an under-pinning knowledge to the creative process.
• To give young people the know-how to express themselves musically within a genre they already love.
• To develop musical ability, through rock and pop, in those who would not otherwise consider music as an option.
• To replace boredom with creativity and improve self-confidence.
• To engender an environment where each member is aware of their personal responsibility to the rest of the group.
• To provide a platform for budding talent, and nurture the musicians and stars of tomorrow.