School of Rock: The real-life Telford project teaching the art of stagecraft

The roar of the crowd, head banging and shredding the guitar – many of us spent our youth dreaming about being rock stars.

And if you’ve ever fancied being Dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks or Debbie Harry but are stuck playing in your bedroom and don’t know where to start – then pick up your plectrums, drumsticks and microphones and head to the real life school of rock.

You may have images of Jack Black strutting around singing “rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme” from The School Of Rock film, but The Rock Project in Telford is a real-life version which teaches children and adults alike how to embrace their inner star and hit the stage.

The project is run by mother and daughter duo Remynie-Kiah Faith and Gail Faith from Newport.

“It’s a school of rock and pop,” says Remy. “We take people from all sorts of levels from beginners to advanced, those who do and don’t have instruments. The idea is to learn your instrument and play in a band.”

The project holds lessons and terms throughout the academic year and culminates in an almighty rock show.

“We learn a song per week, or every two weeks, and that song is a tool used by the tutors to help people learn to play their instruments, to teach techniques, timing, theory. Everything you need to be a fantastic musician,” she says.

“All of our tutors have years of gigging, writing and recording experience including touring all of the UK and Europe. They are passionate about music and teaching ensuring the lessons are fun, upbeat and memorable.”

The Rock Project is a franchise and there are a number of schools across the country, although Telford is the only one that has it’s own dedicated permanent building where guitars line the wall and there is a stage for budding rockers to practise their Mick Jagger moves.

Gail brought the franchise to the area after Remy had been through the project herself at a young age.

“When I was 11 years old I went to learn guitar,” says the 21-year-old.

“Learning the guitar was fascinating and to me it was like ‘that’s a rock star’. But after a lesson I hated it. I then had a go on the drums at break time, I remember playing Queen’s We Will Rock You, and from then I just fell in love with it and have been ever since.

“We offer tester sessions for this reason, to see if the instrument that someone wants to play is really one they enjoy.”

With the much publicised closure of pubs and live music venues, Remy believes The Rock Project is offering somewhere for musicians to be able to express their art.

“There wasn’t really anything around here for musicians that wasn’t classical or very structured in the sense of school lessons,” she says. “There wasn’t anything jumping out.

“More and more music hubs are closing.

“When I was younger and wanted to see a band that was rock or metal I would go to The Haygate in Wellington, which has been closed down.

“But these types of pubs seem to be closing down because there aren’t the people that want to play them anymore, there aren’t as many musicians, there aren’t as many pub bands. We wanted to get the life of music back.”

Since opening seven years ago in a community centre the project has become increasingly popular and was able to move into its own premises on Ketley Business Park which is decked out with lighting, a stage and side studios for band practice.

They are also taking advantage of being able to put on shows in other venues across the town.

“We are going to these venues and saying we can do these gigs, we’ve got the musicians,” said Remy. “It’s all about having fun and the musicians enjoying it.”

As with any school, the Rock project runs terms and throughout each term the students will learn a set list of songs from a variety of rock genres from heavy metal to pop punk. The songs learned are diverse, not only to suit different tastes, but also to provide a musical education.

“If someone wants to be a metal drummer, some of the advice they will be given is learn how to play jazz,” says Remi. “The techniques they will learn and the way their ability will grow sits hand in hand with metal, and they will become a better metal player by learning jazz.

“That’s the same with songs. If you want to learn a metal or pop punk song, then learn something that is speedy, it doesn’t have to be in those genres to learn the techniques.

“We are a rock school and we do stick with rock ‘n’ roll.”

One person who has graduated from the school of rock is Luke Odenwalder who is a guitarist in the up and coming Telford-based band The Raiders, who are currently working on a debut album.

“I went to The Rock Project when I was about 15,” says Luke, now 22.

“I could already play a bit and had been playing since I was nine. But when you are being to told to play 15 minutes a day it can feel a bit like homework, and at 14 I actually gave it up for a year.”

Luke’s parents persuaded him to go to The Rock Project and he fell back in love with music.

“I remember after the first gig we did was at the The Place in Oakengates and we played 30 Seconds to Mars,” said the five piece’s guitar man.

“I have a tattoo on my arm in tribute to that first gig.

“I have done hundreds of gigs now, but I don’t know where I would be without the project really.

“As well as helping me improve it gave me the confidence to go on stage and enjoy my playing and that carries on in your stage presence.”