Darwen School of Music celebrate 20 years of teaching

On Sunday September 17, co-owners Mark Bateson and Paul Davies staged their biggest ever student showcase event in the main concert hall at King George’s Hall in Northgate, Blackburn.

The event was sold out and featured more than 50 students performing live on stage, from playing guitar to singing and many other instruments.

Mark said: "Paul and I used to sit on the steps of the old Victoria building having our dinner and looking across at King George's Hall, seeing the band names on the posters and wondering 'how do people get to play there?'.

"It took 24 years and a lot of hard work but we finally made it happen for students and ourselves.

"We believe that playing live is a craft best learned by doing it and also doubles as a great catalyst for practice. " 

Mark, 40, and Paul, 41, met at Blackburn College in 1999 on the 'Access to Music' course for three years, before moving on to qualify as music facilitators in 2003 at North Trafford college. 

Darwen School of Music started from Mark's mid terraced house on Lynwood in Darwen, and their first show was at the Tower Room in the old Leisure Centre in 2005. 

Alongside two ticketed showcases a year at Darwen Library Theatre, the school have put on 18 consecutive events for Darwen Live on the main stage of the library.

They have also played at multiple other events, including an acoustic tour, Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On, and Darwen Beer and Food Festival.

Mark added: "We encourage any people of any age to play music and teach students from age seven to 70.

"It's not just about kids it's about everyone, and we don't want anyone to feel excluded. 

"The show was amazing and we had to put extra tables out as it was sold out and we had to fit everybody in. It was magic and a dream come true."

Darwen School of Music also act as the local Trinity Rock Exam Centre, so students can take grade exams which come with UCAS points of Grade 6 and above, which can be a big help for getting students into university whether they are studying music or not.

To find out more about Darwen School of Music and the lessons they offer, visit its Facebook page.