Rock Band (12 - 17 years)

Throughout this 12-week course, students will learn, rehearse and perform modern rock/pop songs together in a band of 8 members and will learn a variety of modern rock and pop songs. 

The instruments include; 

• Vocals
• Guitar (acoustic or electric)
• Keyboard
• Bass
• Drums

Places per instrument are limited.  **Students MUST play the instrument they are booked in for. If your desired instrument is fully booked, please get in touch to be added to the waiting list**  

At the end of the course, students will have the ability to perform in front of friends and family on the Crescent's stage with full lights and sound!

Skill level:

Rock band is open to students who have been playing for at least 1 year (or are at least grade 2-3 level). More advanced players are welcome. However, rock band is a low-pressure environment for young people to get together and enjoy making music as a group. There will always be a range of abilities in the group and that is totally fine! Some students may be able to play full guitar/drum/keyboard parts while others can accompany with simple melodies or rhythms. 

What to bring:

Guitarists/bassists should bring their own instruments and drummers should bring their own drumsticks. A small number of guitars can be made available upon request (advanced notice required).  All other equipment will be provided for students. This includes an electronic drum kit, percussion, keyboards, guitar amps, microphones and a PA system.

About the Tutor

Gary Lutton is a final-year PhD researcher at Ulster University and a lecturer in music at Belfast Metropolitan College. His research focuses on developing a new improvisatory vocabulary for fingerstyle guitar, integrating theories from cognitive psychology and flow.

Gary has been a lecturer at Belfast Met for 4 years and frequently gives workshops at Ulster University, in local schools and at community events.He is a touring musician in the UK, Europe and the US, winning Sky TV’s Guitar Star (2015) and placing 3rd in global competition Six String Theory (2014).

Gary is also a founding member of US-based record label Fretmonkey Records and co-ordinates the Belfast Guitar Night, a bi-monthly event at The Crescent featuring guitarists from around the globe.