Back Door’s School of Rock smashes expectations

Rhianna at Back Door’s School of Rock

Young people aged 11-19 completed a week-long crash course in live musicianship last week, culminating in a live concert at the Back Door Music Project in Rochdale.

With little or no instrumental experience, 17 young men and women worked with a team of professional music tutors, mentors and producers to make the leap into live musicianship and performance.

15-year-old participant Rhianna from Rochdale said: “I had never picked up a bass before Monday morning, but there I was on Friday night performing on stage with our new band. I was really nervous and we had to work really hard, but I’m so glad I did. What a buzz!”

Three bands were formed during the week - The Men from Mars, The Dell Boys and The Maylotts who covered a wide range of styles ranging from Eric Clapton to Jessie J. All the bands performed live on stage at the Back Door Music Project on Friday night with participants singing and playing guitar, keyboards, bass drums and even mandolin.

An audience of over 150 family and friends enjoyed the debut performances of the groups and were impressed with the results. Jennie Greenwood from Milnrow, a mother of one of the participants, said: “I am so proud of what the young people have achieved this week; they have given up almost 30 hours each to achieve what they have tonight. I really didn’t think they would be able to play to this standard but I have been proved wrong.

“I hope the groups will stick together and use this opportunity to play and perform together for a long time to come.”

The Back Door School of Rock was funded by the Big Lottery Fund and plans are underway to run the course again during October half term.