Young Rock Guitarist To Benefit from Legacy of One of Bristol's Much Loved Musicians

The musical talent and potential of an eleven-year old Rock Project student from St George, Bristol, has been recognised by the Charlie Derrick Music Foundation.

Funding has been awarded to Mahazo Soandro-Jones to enable him to attend sessions at the Rock Project Bristol – a music school for 7 to 18 year olds providing professional tuition in guitar, bass, drums and vocals and opportunities for young people to form their own bands.
The Rock Project Edits-18

The Charlie Derrick Music Foundation is a charity which was set up 10 years ago in the memory of Charlie Derrick, a talented young Bristol musician who died tragically in 2003, aged 20. It aims to raise money to provide equipment, training and opportunities for young people to help further their careers in music.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADirector of the Rock Project Bristol, Matt Albon, said: ‘I would like to thank the Charlie Derrick Music Foundation for awarding this funding to the Rock Project Bristol in order to support Mahazo in his musical career. The Rock Project aims to provide a supportive environment where students can develop their skills through high quality, professional tuition, and build their confidence through performance and meeting other students of their own age.’

Jules Derrick, Founder of the Charlie Derrick Music Foundation said: ‘Charlie’s legacy has left us a remit to help young musicians like Mahazo achieve their individual potential. To date, over £30,000 has been awarded to young musicians in local schools and colleges to support their musical aims in a variety of ways.’

Mahazo Summer Concert 2012Mahazo Soandro-Jones said: ‘I have wanted to play music since the age of five and now – at the age of eleven – I practice morning and evening with both the piano and guitar. I am excited about the opportunity to learn new guitar skills and to play with other musicians at the Rock Project Bristol, and very grateful to the Charlie Derrick Foundation for enabling this to happen.’

The Rock Project Bristol is run by franchisee, Matt Albon, drummer and former member of indie-rock band ‘The Chemists’, signed to Distiller Records.

The Rock Project is a UK leader in children’s contemporary music tuition offering group lessons in guitar, bass, drums and singing for children aged 7-18 and the opportunity for them to perform regularly as part of a band.

Each year the Rock Project hosts a Summer showcase concert where students can perform on stage in a band in front of their family and friends and one junior and one senior student from each Rock Project group are presented with the ‘Student of the Year’ trophy.

As well as instrumental lessons, students also take part in ‘Plug & Play’ jam sessions and the ‘Music Master Quiz’ – an informal music quiz where they can learn about current music, music history and music theory in a fun way, as well as making new friends in the process. Students can also work toward Rockschool qualifications. Children of all musical ability are very welcome to join at any time, from complete beginners to advanced.

There are currently over 30 Rock Project music schools operating throughout the UK with more due to open next year. The cost is £20 per child, per session

The sessions in Bristol are held every Saturday morning during school term at: The Red Maids’ School, Westbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3AW. The session times are: Juniors (7-11s) 9.30am – 11.15am / Seniors (11-18s) 11.15am – 1.15pm

Website: www.bristol.therockproject.com
Email: matt@therockproject.com
Tel: 0800 084 2216; Mob: 07796 303810;
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rockprojectbris
Facebook: www.facebook.com/therockprojectbristol

The Charlie Derrick Music Foundation. Website: www.cdmusicfoundation.org.uk; Twitter: www.twitter.com/CharlieDMF

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