If you work with young people, music, bands or are involved with rock school projects this is the event for you! Not to be missed - The first ever national Rock Schools Convention is being hosted at The 02 Arena in London. Just £25 for a full day of speakers, networking and entrance to The British Music Experience museum.

The event, which takes place at the British Music Experience, on Friday 3rd February next year is being organised by The Garage, Sound Connections and Rhythmix on behalf of MusicLeader - a national network, funded by Youth Music, which provides support and development for the music leading and teaching workforce.

The event offers rock schools around the country a chance to exchange different models of work, knowledge and good practice. Aspiring Rock School organisers will also be able to learn how to set-up their own school and there will be presentations from key organisations working in the UK music industry.

Rock Schools use performance and music making as a way to inspire young people to learn new skills and gain greater confidence. The Rock School model first appeared in the US with the Paul Green School of Rock, reputed to be the inspiration behind the Jack Black movie, and its proving a growing movement here in the UK.

Impetus for a national convention came after a regional event in Clacton last year. “It was the first attempt to gauge the scale of Rock Schools in the UK and provide a more formalised network,” says MusicLeader East Director, Paul Weston, “We received a tremendous response with twenty two schools, some as far away as Nottingham, braving awful weather to come to Clacton.”

The event will feature representatives from trade and support organisations, live music and free entry into the British Music Experience, presented by The Co-operative – Britain’s interactive museum of popular music based in The O2, London. 

“The National Convention partners us with the British Music Experience at The O2,” says Paul. “It’s a natural fit as a venue, as its both a place to which young people can come if they want to learn about rock music and also somewhere those aspiring rock musicians will dream of playing!” Susanne Buck, Education Manager at the British Music Experience says “As an educational charity, this is exactly what we are all about. The chance to be involved in bringing people together who are inspiring the future of British music was too good to miss.”

Venue: The O2 Arena, London