Rockschool at Dawsons

Back in 1991, music entrepreneurs Norton York and Simon Pitt wondered why pop musicians didn't have the same access to graded exams that classical music players had enjoyed for more than a century.

This simple question led them to create the world's first popular music grade exams.

Fifteen years on, and Rockschool continues to be unique in its field by bringing the world of music exams bang up to date. It offers both what candidates want and what teachers need within a fully recognized and accredited framework. It offers pop music exams from Debut up to Grade 8 in Guitar, Bass, Drums, Popular Piano and Vocals.

Rockschool's approach is practical and relevant to the music of today. Its syllabuses are designed to develop a whole range of skills that reflect the realistic requirements of being a musician in today's world. Unlike many other music exams, candidates can even perform a piece of their own choosing from outside the syllabus books - perhaps the Kaiser Chiefs, The Arctic Monkeys or Radiohead - giving the candidate exciting and endless possibilities!

Since its inception, Rockschool has gone from strength to strength. We have created partnerships with schools, institutions, local education authorities and other music providers to expand our work into the community. We provide support and advice to teachers and educational bodies. We create innovative publications and undertake research into music education. And all the while, the number of Rockschool candidates grows year on year.

Rockschool's strength lies in its ability to understand the needs of teachers and candidates alike, and create flexible and stimulating syllabuses. Our grades appeal to those who want to nurture their musical development through innovation, passion and creativity. By allowing students to play the music they actually enjoy, Rockschool's candidates are encouraged not only to be more musical, but to actually enjoy their examinations too!

Rockschool continually expands its activities by creating partnerships and developing new qualifications. They operate in 18 countries outside the UK.

Dawsons has a Rockschool Exam Centre at our Warrington store. Our own students have achieved excellent pass rates and the schools as a whole have achieved outstanding results. We are now one of the leading Rockschool Exam Centres in the North West of England with ever increasing numbers.

The following are dates for exams at Dawsons in Warrington:

June - Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th

July - Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Thursday 29th

COMING SOON!

NEW FOR AUTUMN 2010! If you attend an exam at our Centre - look for offers in the store on your next instrument purchase.

Watch this space for further information in September!

You can read more about Rockschool by visiting their own website here.