RockTech

RockTech is a school of rock music based in Cambridge UK.

It was founded in 1994 by the current chairman, Paul Maguire. It began in Ely at the local community college during the summer of 1994, where the idea was born. Paul, a professional mucician and producer had the idea and the first rock school began in July of that year. It was a huge success and was featured on the local television news, Anglia News.

The rock school opened with all the students turning up on day one with their instruments. They are sorted out accordeing to their preferred instrument and music taste and bands are formed from them. The tutors then help each band learn and rehearse a set and at the end of the course they get to perform what they have learnt to their friends and families.

When the school finished and the concert had ended. it was clear that there was a real need for something to be created on a more permanent basis and so the organisation decided to begin running workshops every Saturday to keep it going. From its humble beginnings RockTech now runs the biggest rock school in Europe. It invites dozens of young wouldbe rock stars to its rock school every year where they get to meet well known musicians from the music industry and get to play on some scarily big stages. In 2006 the organisation help the end concert where 8 bands, put together just one week leading up to the gig, got to perform on a giant festival stage. www.rocktech.org

STATS: over 500 Weekend workshops (currently based in Huntingdon UK) 25 Rock School courses Completely self funded (no help from local government or arts councils) Owns a professional recording studio. Has appeared on over 20 TV news programmes Offshoots include founding The Band Agency, Zebra Records and now works with London based charity UK Unsigned.