Shola has won a Brit award for ‘Best British Female’ and two MOBO awards for ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best R’n'B Act’. She is a world class recording artist, with a string of top ten hits under her belt, having worked with some of the biggest names in the business. Her debut album ‘Much Love’ has sold over 1.2 million copies worldwide.

Throughout the Masterclass – which was filled to the limit with aspiring songwriter students – Shola talked about her music industry experience and challenged attendees to write a song within a set brief and timeframe. After the event, she commented: “I love meeting and working with such talented and inspiring young students; it is a great opportunity to share what I have learnt from my experiences within the industry with the next generation of aspiring musicians!”

For more information on this event or songwriting courses at the Institute, contact us directly:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

Rockschool is Europe’s No.1 rock music exam board with qualifications covering the principals of rock music and much more. Music Sales is an international family of wholly owned companies with interests in the five main areas of music including music retail (Musicroom). Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of musical instruments including electronic percussion kits. Craig Blundell with over thirty years playing the drums is currently considered one of the best drumming clinicians and educators around. His stylish performances and own brand of entertainment have won him rave reviews across the world.

The demonstrations are based around the groundbreaking Hot Rock series – this incredibly popular series for Drums covers a wide range of artists. During the sessions Craig will be demonstrating tracks featured in  Grades 4 and 5 Hot Rock books including songs from Metallica / Lars Ulrich (Master of Puppets / Fuel), Foo Fighters / Taylor Hawkins ( All My Life), AC DC / Phil Rudd (Whole Lotta Rosie), Kings of Leon / Nathan Followill (Sex On Fire) and many more.

Simon Pitt, CEO of Rockschool says: ‘Hot Rock is a great way of playing hit tunes in our exams and this series for Drums and Guitar has been going great guns since 2009.  We are delighted to be teaming up with Roland and Music Sales for these clinics.  Craig is a great drummer and we expect these events to be well attended’.

The drum clinics will be held from 3pm to 7pm in the following Musicroom stores: -

• Bristol: Tuesday 8^th November 2011 – Musicroom Bristol, 30 College Street, BS1 5TB
• Lincoln: Wednesday 9^th November 2011 – Musicroom Lincoln, 161-162 High Street, LN5 7AF
• Edinburgh: Thursday 10^th November 2011 – Rae Macintosh, 8 Queensferry Street, EH2 4PA

The HD1 Roland beginner drum kit is convenient, compact and stylish – perfect for home, school and studio use with most components mounted on one stand for easy setup and transportation.

There will be special offers on the Hot Rock series of books in the Musicroom stores on the day of the demonstrations plus an amazing competition to win a HD1 kit and a full set of Grade and Hot Rock books.

For further information visit www.rockschool.co.uk.

Bryan’s career has spanned the globe since he began performing at the age of 13. Today he is considered one of the world’s most accomplished virtuoso musicians. Classical, jazz, electronica and most certainly rock, are all genres Bryan has mastered and shares with audiences all over the world.  During the course of this masterclass he covered the principle topics of rhythm, melody and energy, and how they are often overlooked and under-investigated by most musicians. And students were able to learn how to elicit these elements more effectively from their own playing.

Prior to the masterclass, Guitar Techniques conducted a filmed interview with Brian, at the Institute, which will feature on the cover CD of a future edition of the magazine.

Bryan’s LA based rock band Black Baptista has just released its album debut titled “Thread the Needle” July 2011. He has also compiled his experiences in Principles of Music, a book which delves into original and thought provoking methods of improvising and composing, as well as his philosophical look at the totality of a musical experience. He is currently touring the UK and the Netherlands with Bob van Luijt.

For more information on this event or courses at the Institute, contact us directly:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

The guitar style of Slash is used for the Ionian mode lessons including; Ionian Mode patterns, seven three note string patterns, learning how to create chords using this mode, plus play along with three licks in the style of Slash which demonstrate sequences, bending and double stops.

Each DVD in the series features tracks in the style of a different guitarist and includes a guitar jam track and licks in the style of either Slash, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Carlos Santana, Yngwie Malmsteen or Michael Schenker.

Each DVD in the series is only £16.99 (RRP), or get the complete set The Modes 7 DVDs Perfect Partner set (RRP £94.99 a massive saving of over £20.00)

These DVD lessons are taught and presented by renowned guitar teacher Danny Gill, a former pupil of Joe Satriani. To find out more visit www.licklibrary.co.uk today and place your order now. Better still join the community and enjoy discounts on all their products.

At the Institute, Maurizio teaches the Arranging and Composing modules on the BMus honours degree programme. Students who enrol on the degree course therefore benefit directly from the teaching and experience of people like Maurizio, who is an outstanding professional musician, composer and educator with an incredible CV.

Paul Kirkham, Director at the Institute, had this to say:

“We are extremely proud of Maurizio who has once again demonstrated what an outstanding musician and composer he is. Although we are a school of contemporary music, we believe it is important that students on our degree courses have the opportunity to learn from and work with classically-trained professionals, as this gives them a unique insight into music and enhances their opportunities for employment post-graduation.”

For more information on this story or details on how to enrol on a course at the Institute, contact the following:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

Pete is a songwriter, producer and musician best known as the lead singer and songwriter with D-Ream whose worldwide hit ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ was recently voted by Time Out as one of the 100 most influential songs of all time. As an artist/producer he’s sold in excess of 3 million records including 12 top 40 singles and two top 5 albums.

He has produced, remixed and written with artists as diverse as Duran Duran, Honeyz, Deborah Harry, Steps, EMF, Graham Gouldman, Rob Davies, Steve Craddock and Motown legend Lamont Dozier. Pete is also a regular guest speaker at BASCA and PRS for Music events.

Pete Whittard, Director at the Institute, had this to say:

‘We are delighted that Pete Cunnah, a professional with an incredible history of success and credits at the highest levels, has decided to join our teaching faculty. Pete brings with him a wealth of industry experience which will be of huge benefit to our students and we are looking forward to working with him into the future.’

For more information on this story on about course sat the Institute, contact the following:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

Andy James is a master technician and a major contributor to the Lick Library in heavy rock and metal styles. As a songwriter he shows creative flare and originality, having recently released his debut self-titled solo album through Transcend Music.  Now endorsed by Blackstar Amplification, ESP Guitars and Rotosound, Andy can be found holding workshops and masterclasses as far afield as N.A.M.M. and it has just been confirmed that 2011 will see Andy release his very own custom signature ESP guitar.

Andy will be talking with students from the Institute about his experience, the development of his technique and the importance of originality and creativity as a musician. A graduate of the Guitar Institute in 2004, Andy has a wealth of knowledge to impart on how to build a career as a musician during your studies and after graduating. Having recently been voted in the top 20 of all time shredders by TruthInShredding.com, one of the world’s most popular specialist guitar website, this is a masterclass not to be missed.

Following the masterclass, Andy will also be joined by his band, Sacred Mother Tongue, for a live gig at the Good Ship, Kilburn. The set will comprise material from Sacred Mother Tongue’s new album, as well as tracks from Andy’s self-titled album release, including the leading track ‘War March’ and critics’ choice ‘Burn it Down’.

For more information on this event or courses at the Institute, contact us directly:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

Organised by BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, the campaigning organisation also known for hosting the Ivor Novello Awards) Songfest will this year take place at the Bedford in Balham, London, a venue synonymous with promoting new, up-and-coming songwriting talent and a venue regularly used by Institute students. Aimed at the Ivor Novello-winning songwriters of the future, Songfest gives attendees the chance to learn from the professionals, network with industry executives and develop their song writing skills.

Speakers already confirmed for this year’s extravaganza include: Chris Difford (Squeeze); Nerina Pallot; MOBO-nominated acts Omar and Mike Hough; beatboxer extraordinaire Shlomo; world renowned producer Steve Levine; newcomers and youtube sensations Sam Beeton and Dan Priddy; Pete Kirtley (songwriter with Guy Chambers, Ryan Tedder and Kim Wilde) and Bill Padley (songwriter and producer with Sheryl Crow, the Fugees, Ronan Keating, Blue, Atomic Kitten).

Each panel and session has been carefully curated to appeal to the next generation of songwriters and includes ‘The Secrets of the Chart-Toppers: What makes a No.1 Hit Record?’; ‘The Craft of Songwriting’; ‘Common Pitfalls of Signing Deals’; ‘Tips on Bedroom Recording’; ‘Self-Promotion and Making Money’; and ‘How to Become a You Tube sensation!’

Delegates will also be given the opportunity to network with professionals and executives working in the British music industry. Each day will end with a live music showcase at the Bedford. Tickets are on sale now exclusively via We Got Tickets. Day tickets cost £20. Tickets for the entire three days cost £50.

For further information, please contact:

• www.songfest.org.uk
• www.twitter.com/songfestUK
• events@icmp.co.uk
• Nicola Riches: nicola@basca.org.uk (020 7636 2929)

The series features over fifty lessons, with the unsurpassed Thomas Pridgen, legendary Jim Chapin, Chad Smith, Gregg Bissonette, Peter Erskine and many, many more. The drum lessons cover every aspect of playing the drums from the basics for beginners to the more complicated techniques and rudiments for the advanced players looking to refine their skills. The lessons get in close and show you how to set up your drums and tune them properly, explain the different ways you can hold the sticks, they demonstrate hand and feet approaches, give details on how to keep the beat / time, whilst also revealing the use of the valuable tips and hard won tricks. Different styles of music – jazz, rock, and funk – are used throughout the lessons to illustrate the techniques being discussed.

You can dip in and out of the lessons when you want and you can view them over and over again – until you get it nailed. Each teacher takes you through the lesson a step at a time, explaining clearly what they are doing as they go along. You can use these lessons to prepare you for private instruction or support your existing lessons or simply get you ready for more Drum Channel lessons.

The All Access Membership Pass Plan gives you the right of entry to this wealth of drumming lessons and countless other learning aids such as Master Classes with top professional drummers, videos of the greats playing, shows where the leading drummers of the day talk about what they love best – drumming! The All Access Membership Pass Plans are available in one of three ways – choose which arrangement suits you the most. There is a recurring monthly subscription of $4.99, a six month non-recurring subscription – and get a month free at $24.95, or a twelve month non-recurring subscription – and get two months free at $49.90. You can even try before you buy. There are lots 10 FREE lessons, some covering the basics, others describe more advanced techniques.

Remember the more you learn the more fun it will be, and on Drum Channel you can learn from the best drummers in the world.

Newsflash: Coming soon lessons with Neil Peart and Freddie Gruber.

Available exclusively through Drum Channel go to https://drumchannel.ssl.subhub.com/subscribe/signupform to find out more.

Featured on the world-renowned ‘BBC Introducing’ stage, Daughter performed to a jam-packed tent, and received great feedback from a crowd who were more than ready to appreciate her soaring melodies and angelic vocals. Previous acts that have performed on BBC’s Introducing stage include Florence and the Machine, Biffy Clyro, Ed Sheeran, and Everything Everything.

After reaching #3 in the Most Popular Song Chart, Daughter were thrust in to the spotlight once again, gaining their first national radio play on BBC 6 Music w/ Tom Robinson and first national radio session on Jo Good’s BBC London. Stakes were raised once again when The Independent’s Barometer column tipped her as a’ One to Watch’ because of “beautifully-sung, literary folk” and “ethereal melancholy”.

Daughter was chosen by the BBC to feature on their Introducing Stage along with other top up and coming artists from the UK. It’s a fantastic achievement and we’re sure it’s only the start of a very bright future for her. The Institute would like to congratulate Elena and wish her all the best with her career.

For more information on this announcement or information about how you can follow in Elena’s footsteps by joining a course at the Institute please contact us directly:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk