Durham Music Service - Rock Band on Tour!

As part of the new Rock and Pop strategy at Durham Music Service, last week saw the launch of the Rock Band Project, a pilot scheme to develop ensemble playing and performance skills among KS3 pupils. The programme is being trialled in four schools across the county, Consett Academy, Wyvern Academy in Darlington, Parkside Academy in Willington and Seaham High School. It will give students the opportunity to learn the guitar, bass, drum kit or sing, and to start playing together as part of a band.

Our staff rock band kicked off the project by going on tour to perform for the new Year 7 pupils in each of the pilot schools. Students now have the opportunity to sign up for taster workshops to try the different instruments, before hopefully signing up to begin instrumental lessons with Durham Music Service.

Durham Music Service staff will be working with pupils all year to help put the bands together, and to develop their instrumental and performance skills. The year will culminate with the Big Gig (June 2019), which will bring together bands from each of the schools involved to perform for an audience of family and friends. The Big Gig will also feature performances from established bands, who rehearse as after school clubs run by Durham Music Service staff, in a Battle of the Bands to earn a coveted performance opportunity at the DMS Sage Showcase in 2019