ROCKSCHOOL in Spain

ROCKSCHOOL was set up in 1991 in the UK to bring the best in pop and rock into mainstream education. ROCKSCHOOL do this by providing exams, publications, advice and support to teachers and educational bodies.

ROCKSCHOOL expanded its activities by creating partnerships and developing new qualifications. Now ROCKSCHOOL is available in Spain through the Nelson Music Academy.

History and Ethos

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!