School of rock arrives in Sikkim

Gangtok: For all those wannabe rock n roll performers, here is an opportunity to be a certified rocker, with a degree to boot, to take you through the worldwide rock music circuit. Rockschool, which exists in 26 countries throughout the globe and is one of the premier institutions in music, has opened its doors in Sikkim where rock music is a passion with the young generation. It is the only institution that caters to providing graded music examinations, diplomas and degrees in contemporary music that includes Rock n` Roll and Heavy Metal.

Late last February, a workshop was organised in Gangtok where the school`s syllabus was explained and the participants were told about the school`s teachers. The executive director of Rockschool, Jeremy Ward, explained to the audience the mind blowing new developments that have been taking place in rock music. To Jeremy goes the credit for composing music in the Madonna starrer ‘Evita’ and for playing alongside the likes of Kylie Minogue and Elton John. Jeremy said that he had already held similar workshops in Guwahati, Nagaland, Aizawl and Darjeeling in the Northeast, where Rock n` Roll is worshipped and which abounds in talent. John Rainaman, manager of Rockshool, East India, said that renowned musicians and bands like Phill Collins, Genesis, Nick Davis, Deep Purple and Larry Clarton were some who had opted to get their degrees from Rockschool. In India, popular band Parikrama’s lead guitarist Sonam, the guitarists of Euphoria and Alobo Naga, whose song `Painted Dreams` burned the VH1 charts for weeks, had also taken eight grade lessons [the highest grade] and degrees from Rockschool. In India alone, there are 13 Rockschools which are teaching people how to develop techniques like power cords and single note riffs featuring heavily through the three Guitar Books along with plenty of string bending to work on in Grades 2 and 3. Rockschool is accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by QCA and all of Rockschool’s qualifications are on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), which means candidates can be assured of receiving a recognized qualification. Further, all grade exams, 6, 7 and 8 across each syllabus are worth UCAS points. One can also opt to choose music from Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Van Halen, AC/DC, Oasis and many more for their grade exams for teaching and performing diplomas. Courses are offered in original drums, Guitar part in full, key boards and vocals. PTI