The UK specialist music school for children, The Purcell School for Young Musicians, will open a new Commercial and Popular Music Department to students in September 2022, supported by Rockschool-accredited grades 1-8 for electric guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists and vocalists.
The Purcell School will offer customised contemporary qualifications provided by the global awarding body, RSL Awards (Rockschool), for students in the new Commercial and Popular Music Department.
Using Rockschool materials, young rock and pop students residing in the UK will have the opportunity to receive a government-funded education at The Purcell School, while international students may access the School’s own Bursary Fund, both of which are means-tested.
Rockschool’s graded music exams combine industry relevance, student engagement and academic rigour. Every practical, theoretical and aural test has been written and developed by a panel of industry professionals and educators to give students a high level of academic grounding and understanding.
RSL Awards Chairman and Founder Norton York said, ‘RSL’s vision is to enable everyone everywhere, to develop and fulfil their own individual talent and potential, regardless of age, background or previous musical experience, and we are delighted to support this exciting launch of a pop and commercial music department, offering the same opportunity for this government-funded top level music education to pop and commercial music young performers as their classical and jazz counterparts have enjoyed for decades.’
The Purcell School Head of Commercial and Popular Music Department Simon Allen said, ‘We are thrilled to have launched a new first study Commercial and Popular Music Department, supported by RSL Awards, which will be available to students from September 2022. This is a fantastic chance for young musicians (11-18) of pop, rock and commercial styles to study with industry professionals, in an exciting full-time musical environment, surrounded by like-minded students.’
Admissions for 2022 are now open: Click here for more information.
