A COMMUNITY music charity inspired by the hit film School of Rock has risen from the ashes thanks to vital funding.
Winnall Rock School was on “death’s door” last year but following a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery has managed to survive and keep providing kids with a home through music.
The organisation, which allows students aged 10 to 17 to write and create their own music, was founded in 2004 to fill a gap in the area by providing free band workshops for those who couldn’t afford music tuition.
Nearly 20 years on, the rock school has three groups jamming out every week and expressing their emotions through words and instruments at Unit 12 in Winnall.
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The 20 young musicians are now preparing for their annual summer show at the Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday, July 19, titled ‘Tomorrow, Yesterday, Now!’
Project coordinator Peter Brown said: “Many kids are not attracted by the music curriculum at school. They just want to play. We start them off writing music, looking at what they can do and create a song from there.
“The children learn how to play instruments through their own songs. Some are from households that can’t afford it while others are battling social or mental health issues. Music is a form of community for them.
“It's been financially tough since Covid and by last year's show, we were devising plans to hibernate until more funds came in. Miraculously, the National Lottery awarded us £10,000 the very next morning. With care, we have eked this to last the whole year.”
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Trustee Ruth Mulholland said: “They don’t just get music out of it, it’s a huge source of well-being and support. To actually have the chance to sing about things they care about as teens is amazing.”
Freddie Scott, 20, joined as a 14-year-old and now comes back to help alongside his degree at Winchester University. He said: “To have such a friendly and nourishing atmosphere is so vital for teens and kids when they don’t feel at home anywhere else.
“I’ve been playing guitar for six years now so I help with that but I also try and focus on lifting them up and building the confidence to shine in their own way. It’s one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences.”
Charlie Walker, 16, joined in 2018 to help distract himself from his depression. Charlie said: “The rock school helps me separate my problems from my life and show my emotions through music.
“I wouldn’t be able to cope without it. This is my highlight of every week.”
Thea Biddlecombe, 15, has been involved for two years and is a regular on the mic. She said: “I needed to do something with my time because I wasn’t doing anything. I went to a taster session wearing silver Doc Martins and Chris (music leader) said he had shoe envy so I immediately knew that this was my place.
“I’ve definitely made a lot more friends and found more confidence in myself and my singing. It’s really helped with my progression and I feel very empowered.
“Nothing bad happens when I’m singing on stage, there’s just a whole crowd supporting you.”
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Tyler Novarese, 15, joined five years ago after starting guitar and drum lessons. Tyler said: “Once I joined I never wanted to stop.”
Tyler's friend, Jasper Allen-Hare, was inspired to join in September. Jasper, 15, said: “Music has always been a big part of my life and here I get to see some really nice people. If my week is going badly, it picks up by being here with my friends.”
All the instruments are donated and repaired if needed by the volunteers. The charity relies on funding to keep sessions free and welcomes corporate and personal donations.
Winnall Rock School holds free band workshops every Tuesday. Any young person aged 10 to 17 can access the free services but the charity prioritises those who need financial, social, emotional, educational and health support.
For more information go to winnallrockschool.org/.
And for tickets to the annual show at the Theatre Royal Winchester, for which you can ‘pick your price’, go to theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/winnall-rock-school-summer-show-2023-tomorrow-and-yesterday-now.
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