Rockschools» christmas

Behind Closed Doors on Radio Northants

David Taylor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:34:51 +0000

Tune in to Radio Northants tomorow, 29 December 2011, between 12pm and 2pm to hear the interview with Behind Closed Doors.

Happy Christmas to all students, parents and followers

David Taylor — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:27:40 +0000

It’s been a while since I blogged. I was stupid enough to crack a couple of ribs at the last concert while running into a door. You would think I would learn!

The second concert of term went really well and all the bands were fantastic. Many parents and students stayed to see the whole concert. Good to see the younger bands being given the opportunity to watch the older, more experienced ones.

Special awards were made to the members of Behind Closed Doors for the way they handled themselves after the loss of Mark Tanton last year, and for their tremendous fundraising on behalf of Meningitis UK. The Rockschools’ concert raffle (being drawn below) raised £90 to add to their impressive total.

Last Thursday, Bad Influence, who won the recent Battle of the Bands competition, were invited to play at the Vision Cafe Christmas celebrations. They played exceptionally well and I hope to add a picture or two very soon.

On Friday we had a visit from a lady called Natasha House from Radio Northampton who wanted to interview Behind Closed Doors for a special program the radio station is putting out next Thursday 29th December (time to be confirmed). When the boys had gone home Natasha pointed her microphone at me and I tried to explain what Rockschools is all about. I hope it made a bit of sense. Anyway please make a note to tune in. I will update the blog with the time of the show in the next few days.

Friday finished with the staff Christmas Party at the Green Man. Good to see some of the old boys back from Uni; Tom Mitson, Paul Tanton, Simon Mcgurk and Jess Miles back from her assignment in Mexico. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.

More Rockschools Drummers – Connal Bower

David Taylor — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:05:21 +0000

Another drummer to mention is one of our oldest students and our loudest drummer, Connal Bower, who opened last Saturday’s concert with Epic Fail. Connal arrived direct from Towcester Racecourse, where he works, having spent the day running around the course moving equipment and hurdles and helping to make sure that everything was running well. After the band’s set he was on the verge of collapse, only adrenalin stopping him from falling over.

A good week for Connal as he has just been accepted as a retained fire-fighter, joining his father at our great Towcester Fire Service.

Little did I know that ‘goodbye’ after Saturday’s concert wasn’t going to be the last I saw of Connal that weekend….

I spent all day Sunday teaching as usual but, after a long day on Saturday, had asked Ros to arrange my schedule so that I could have have Sunday evening off. At 7.30pm I was sitting watching tele with a mug of tea in one hand and mince pie in the other. BANG! BANG! BANG! on the door, mug of tea went one way and the mince pie the other. Spluttering to the front door I was astounded to see Connal and his father in full fire-fighting gear. It seemed there had been a gas leak a few doors down and, with their usual efficiency, the fire service was getting everyone to safety. So, I spent my Sunday evening standing ouside looking at the stars on the coldest night of the year so far. Connal’s uniform looked very new, this must have been one his first “shouts”.

Rockschool Drummers – Jo Bucknall

David Taylor — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:27:11 +0000

Rockschools’ concert last week saw a unique performance from Jo Bucknall who showed great versatility as well as an amazing sense of calm under considerable last minute pressure.

Jo drummed for Elsewhere in a fantastic performance and then prepared to go on with her other band, Soundwave, for whom she is the vocalist. The band knew that their guitarist was out of action due to a dislocated shoulder but they were not prepared for a missing drummer as well. Totally un-fazed, Jo stepped into the breach as both drummer and vocalist. How impressive is that?!

Rockschools End-of-Term Concert

David Taylor — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:28:28 +0000

Great concert on Saturday night, all the bands played really well and photos are up on the website at http://rockschools.co.uk/nggallery/page-22/album-1/gallery-19/

This was the first of two end-of-term concerts, the second is on Saturday 3rd December at 6pm at Nicholas Hawksmoor School. Please do come along and support our bands. It’s not a late finish (approx 9.30pm) and the later bands would love to have as large an audience as we get for the earlier bands.

Some more firsts…..Saturday saw the first performance, at a Rockschools concert, from one of our mature student bands. The members are all part of the Wednesday evening Rockschool and most, if not all of them, were playing in front of an audience for the first time in their lives! They really enjoyed it.

Grateful thanks for all the hard work from everyone who helped. Sadly, not everyone was able to stay to the end of the concert and support all the bands but I do appreciate those parents who were kind enough to stay and help put everything away afterwards. Even so, most of us didn’t finish until nearly midnight.

Special mention to one member of staff who, after organising The Battle of the Bands on Friday evening (after which he had to take two members home which in itself was a 40 mile round trip), was in school again all Saturday morning, transporting equipment and setting up the hall, stage, sound and lighting. He was still packing equipment away at 11.45pm. He is such an unassuming and quiet guy and I didn’t notice anyone thank him but, the next time you see him, please give BOB FLEMING a big THANKYOU.

Havoc

David Taylor — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:55:55 +0000

There is a quotation from Shakespeare, maybe Julius Caesar. I think it goes something like, cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. This seems to be an appropriate name for the band HAVOC after seeing my teaching staff after a session with them.

They have only been together for one term in their present format but are beginning to produce some good music. Paddy Towner; James Waite; Jamie Holman; Joel Corbishley. Ages from 8 to 11. All four members of the band are able to play electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar and electric bass guitar so they should be able to put a wide variety of music down as the weeks go by. Jamie Holman also sings but I expect the others to join him eventually on the mic. I haven’t been able to find a full time drummer whom I feel would be suitable for this band so if you know of anyone please let me know.

Great Gigs and Old Friends

David Taylor — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:23 +0000

The build up to our concerts on 26th November and 3rd December is exciting and extremely busy but I don’t want to leave out mention of last week’s gigs and some special, unexpected visitors to Rockschools.

I was unable to get over to Brackley to see Behind Closed Doors but, from what I hear, they gave a great performance. I did manage to pop into the Saracen’s Head to hear D-Fault’s gig in aid of Leukemia and Lymphoma charities. They were fantastic and are learning, all the time, to perform music that is ideally suited to their audience. They should get offers of some good gigs on the back of this performance. I took a couple of pics but, as usual, can’t download them so they will have to wait for another time.

Some familiar faces turned up to visit Rockschools on Saturday – Frances Mitson and James Driscoll. Both are enjoying life at University. Frances is at Loughborough doing a Business Management Degree, same Uni as Tom so I guess it’s nice to have big brother around just in case. Oliver Mcgurk also popped in to say hello. He’s taking a year out but is off to Uni next September after he has put some cash away to see him through. Really great to see the old students popping back. After spending up to 12 years working with these guys it’s sometimes hard to see them go out into the big, wide world.

Rockschools Gigs – 12th November 2011

David Taylor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:34:07 +0000

Another busy Saturday coming up at Rockschools. First session starts at 12.30 and the second at 3.00. Not many weeks to go before our first concert full details of which are on our current newsletter.

After we have finished tidying up the school this afternoon, I have a quick dash over to Brackley to support Behind Closed Doors in the Brackleys Got Talent Competition. George Rose is also performing so good luck to all. Please support if you can – 6pm at Magdalen College School Hall, Waynflete Avenue, Brackley, NN13 6FB.

After that a dash back to Towcester to support D-Fault in their charity gig at the Sarecens Head. They are headlining the event in aid of Leukemia and Lymphoma at the Saracen’s Head Hotel in Towcester (9.30 – 10.30pm).

Bob Fleming is doing all the sound and roadie in his usual impeccable way. After that I hope I can fall asleep!

Rockschools Girl Band – S.A.R.A.H

David Taylor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:58:36 +0000

I have another one of our girl bands to introduce to you today. Ages about 11 and 12, although if I have got that wrong I am sure they will let me know in no uncertain terms tomorrow.

Although most of the girls have been coming to Rockschools for eighteen months, they have only been together in this band since September but are already making great progress and working together as if they have known each other for many years.

They have decided to name their band S.A.R.A.H. which is the first letter of their names: SUSIE; ALANNA; RUTH; ANNA; HOPE. They are due to perform in their first end of term concert in a few weeks time and seem to be very excited about this.

I still need to find the band a regular drummer so if there are any girls or boys out there who play drums and would like the opportunity to play with a really friendly group of girls then please give me a call.

Richard Branson – Eat Your Heart Out!

David Taylor — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:22:45 +0000

You may be interested in the following story about one of my students whom we shall call George although that’s not really his name. George came to my house for his weekly guitar lesson last night with a brand new Fender Stratocaster. I was surprised because George, who is only 14, has had to struggle with a fairly cheap beginner guitar for many years. I wanted to know how he had acquired the Strat and this is his story.

He purchased a new guitar on Ebay for £100 but when delivered it was rubbish with a really bad action, virtually unplayable. George thought he had blown all his money until he came up with an idea. He sold 500 raffle tickets at £2 each on ebay, the prize being this rubbish guitar he had just bought for £100. When the winning ticket was drawn he sent the prize to the lucky guy. George says he made a profit of £898 which he used to buy a new Strat. I said “Didn’t anyone complain”. George said, “Only the winner and I gave him his £2 back.”