Top of the Rock opened its new Stratford branch over the summer on the Avenue Fields industrial estate
“WE may fall on our faces, but if we do, we will fall with dignity! With a guitar in our hands, and rock in our hearts!”
So says Jack Black’s wayward teacher in 2003 film School of Rock. Now the chance to learn an instrument with rock at the heart is being offered by real-life rock music tuition outfit Top of the Rock.
Already established in Warwick and Leeds, Top of the Rock opened its new Stratford branch over the summer on the Avenue Fields industrial estate.
It also offers tuition in around 25 Warwickshire schools.
“We have completely transformed the industrial unit into a creative musical space that is a ‘feast for the eyes’ for musical lovers and their families,” says business director Becky Knight. “It boasts four soundproof private tuition rooms, full to the brim with top quality, industry standard instruments and equipment. Our space also includes a large workshop/performance space where we will host a variety of musical offerings and performances for the local community.”
Becky adds: “The live music scene died off in Stratford, and so did people’s access to musical education. We set up Top of the Rock here because we had so many current students from the area come and say ‘there’s nothing for us’ in terms of music lessons and such.”
Top of the Rock was established in Warwick in 2020 by owner Kris Farrell, aged 33, who is originally from Leamington.
Kris says: “Learning an instrument is an incredibly powerful tool for stress reduction, channeling emotions, improving creativity, learning discipline, building confidence, improving physical and mental health, and expanding social circles with like-minded individuals! But above all it’s a lot of fun.”
Kris’s own top role model is his teacher from when he was a young drummer, Alan Sticky-Wicket.
“Alan is a fantastic, world class jazz drummer who also loves to pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation. He was the shining example that led me into a successful career in music, and hopefully inspiring young aspiring musicians myself.”
Kris describes his journey into music and the company as slightly unusual.
“I went to a couple of schools around the area when I was young and had a lot of trouble with ‘fitting in the box’. A lot of traditional teaching methods are aimed at ‘normal’ neurotypical people,” explains Kris who was told from a young age that he could be hyperactive and had difficulty concentrating.
“I went to anger management therapy, which ended up with me playing the drums. And it sorted me out really, getting into music and the drums especially – it led me into a full degree in the end.”
Kris added: “The mission of the school is to help people get a musical education tailored to them, keeping it fun and fresh. One of the group’s key mottos is that we’re ‘in the business of making happy people’.”
