Hopeful young musicians who attend a music club are to be given an opportunity to perform on a big stage next week.

A showcase gig, hosted by the youth music initiative The Rock Project, will see more than 40 young and talented guitarists, singers, drummers, bass players and keyboardists play on the Peel Centenary Stage on Saturday June 24.

The concert is an opportunity for students, many of whom are aged between seven to 18 years, to play on stage with a full, professional set-up.

The Rock Project is led on the island by David Rowles, 36, a professional sound engineer who has worked with some huge names in the music industry.

’The students have been working hard all year and this concert is their opportunity to showcase their skills to friends and family,’ he said.

’The Rock Project concert is a showcase of everything, or at least a lot of what the kids have done over the year. We try to do a new song each week, so the kids have got a rather large repertoire.

’They are going to be doing some Queen songs, such as "Under Pressure". The younger kids are playing "Eye Of The Tiger" and "Jumping Jack Flash", things like that.

’We have a suggestion book, so the kids can suggest songs they like, and I decide if they are playable and we work out what are the parts and give them a go.

’They are good to come up with loads of different suggestions. Some of them aren’t suitable lyrically and some of the are just too difficult for their level of play.

’But hopefully we’ll get through them all.

’We have some talented and hard-working young people in the school and this is going to be a fantastic experience for them that will help them grow in confidence as performers.

’The students are incredibly excited and it will be a highlight for them when they take to the stage.’

The Rock Project is open to children up to the age of 18 and meets in Peel on Mondays and Onchan on Wednesdays. There are also classes available for adult performers.

’We offer tuition too, so we help people who want to pick up a guitar but have no idea how to play or haven’t played in a while and would like to get back into it.’

Entry to the concert, which kicks off at 7pm, is priced at £10, and is free for under 18s.

For more information on the concert, or on the Rock Project itself, contact Dave Rowles on 433069 or email [email protected]

by Mike Wade

twitter:@mwislandlife