Summer Rock School 2006

24th July 2006

Young people from the Highlands and Islands are being invited to take part in the Summer Rock Schools, organised by Careers Scotland.

Two and three-day music workshops will take place across three different venues and funded by a variety of organisations including Highland Council, Youth Highland and Kyle of Sutherland Action.

This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in music to learn more about stagecraft, music technology and recording techniques.

Five local musicians will lead the workshops including John Sinclair - a keyboard supremo who spent nearly twenty years in Ozzy Osbourne's band.

The first workshop will be at the MacPhail Centre in Ullapool, from Wednesday 2nd to Friday 4th August. Eighteen young people from the Isle of Lewis will aattend this event. A two-day workshop will take place at the Invershin Hall, Invershin, from the 7th to 8th August, while the final set of workshops will be at the Ross County Football Club from the 9th to 11th August.

There will be special showcase events on the final evenings of each event, where bands from all three venues will come together and play for family, friends and supporters - starting at 6:30pm in Invershin, and at 6.45 in Ullapool, and Dingwall.

The workshops are aimed at young people aged over 14 who have a growing interest in music and need some direction, guidance and input to show them the value of their interest.

Heather Muir, Careers Scotland senior adviser, said: "There is no requirement for the young person to be in a band - these events hope to attract young people from many different backgrounds and are certainly not targeted at proficient musicians."

"The workshops aim to highlight the range of careers available to musicians and the different skills required. It is also important that young people involved in the music industry appreciate that the skills developed through music can be used in many different careers, throughout their lives. We also hope to inspire the young people to make plans, increase their self-confidence, but most of all we want it to be great fun!"

The young people will get involved in song-writing, music performance, music technology, band promotion and stagecraft. They will also get a taster of marketing through the designing of cards to promote their performances as well as recording podcasts - short music clips that can be used online. The tutors will also give advice based on their real life experiences of the music industry.

One of the tutors who has been heavily involved in the design and delivery of the workshops, Jim Hunter, said: "If you are at all interested in music, whether it is on the playing side, or helping on the stage and technical side, these are the workshops for you. Anyone who can play an instrument, sing or contribute in other ways can benefit from this wealth of experience. Fiddlers and pipers are just as welcome as guitars and drums!"

As well as assisting school pupils and college students, Careers Scotland extends its services to all ages - helping people who are in or out of work, those who need career planning support and giving advice on learning and employment opportunities.

The five musicians who will be involved in the workshops along with Jim Hunter are Robbie Dunsmore - a Dingwall-based musician, performer and sound recordist, Terry Small - producer, performer and song-writer, Scott Peacock - sound recordist for music technology, John Sinclair - plays keyboards and spent nearly twenty years in the Ozzy Osbourne band.

Heather Muir, Careers Scotland, Dingwall, 01349 860681
Heather.Muir[AT]careers-scotland.org.uk