Music Rocks Australia (MRA) is a mobile ‘School of Rock, Pop and Hip Hop’. Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts graduate staff (trained in jazz and contemporary music) conduct weekly, one hour long ensemble lessons using more than $50,000 worth of musical instruments and recording equipment. Students choose their own song repertoire, record their work onto CD’s and MP3, and conduct performances in their schools, communities and at scheduled MRA events.

MRA uses a patented system of teaching that uses ‘compartmentalized’ musical fragments that build in a sequence to form song sections and ultimately song repertoire. This creates a ‘no fail’ method of ensemble instruction for beginner groups and provides a challenging focus for the reproduction or composition of repertoire for advanced groups. MRA staff aid with the transcribing of recorded material and composition and arrangement of new material. Australian Rock/Pop repertoire is encouraged. Generic musical concepts and skills are taught and the social benefit of music is achieved from playing music with others immediately.

Beginner, intermediate and advanced musical tasks are regularly set for each instrument to supplement the ensemble tasks so that individual progress for each student can be made on their instrument separately from ensemble progress. This individual work ensures the musical development of all participants and reinforces the learning in the ensemble with theory and technique explanations. These tasks on each instrument can be played simultaneously in the ensemble so that those who have completed the tasks can replicate them creating ensemble pieces – ensemble pieces that link sound to theory. To reinforce this method, a study of Alice Cooper's, 'School's Out' will be mandatory in 2008 for each group with explanation booklets.

MRA participants can also swap instruments and it is recommended that participants play more than one instrument in the ensemble.

Performance is a crucial part of the program in terms of self-esteem building and musical development. MRA is planning a Telethon charity concert in 2008 (25th September, Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre - 2,500 audience) and the first paid gigs in 2008 for MRA participants. The Starlight Foundation, Youth Festivals, Community Fairs and School concerts provide other performance opportunities for participants.

The cost to each participant is usually between $10 and $15 per session depending on the numbers within the ensemble. To make music tuition affordable is yet another goal achieved with the MRA program. MRA plans to continue the program in other states in Australia and internationally with Western Australia as the example for its success.

Mission Statement:

 “To markedly increase the level of music participation in Australia” …by connecting young people with the music that they most like, using the best available technology and authentic instrumentation to create it and to provide the elite information, nurtured environment and scheduled events for this to occur in a manner that heightens the level achievable in Contemporary Music.

Elaboration:

• To make the music education that is available to a few, available to all, particularly in regards to instrumental music
• To provide a vehicle for Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts graduates to pass on their world-class skills and knowledge to developing musicians
• To eliminate the barriers for young people becoming involved in music making
• To focus on self-expression, positiveness, endeavour, creativity and ‘being in the moment’ during MRA ensemble sessions, where outside factors have little influence
• To inspire young people’s interest in music and music making through performance and illumination of the self-satisfying aspects of playing music collaboratively
• To provide those who undertake individual instrumental tuition with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in an ensemble where a good sense of time can be focussed upon and tested

Our Staff:

	Dean Blanchard Bachelor of Music Education (ECU), Associate Degree in Performing Arts (Jazz and Contemporary Music) (WAAPA), Bachelor of Science (Applied Chemistry) (Curtin University), Lifetime Golden Key Membership for Academic Excellence 2003 (ECU/Curtin/WAAPA) TEE Music Performance Exam Marker 2007-, Author of Contemporary Guitar for the WA School Student Series and Contemporary Bass Guitar for the WA School Student Series outlining from beginner to tertiary entrance preparation, School of Instrumental (DET) Guitar and Bass Instrumental Teacher 2001-2007, Co-author of the Year 8-10 DET Contemporary Guitar Levelling Document Dean has performed with several well known acts in Perth over the last 15 years, including his own ensembles that include Mood Swing, Code Blue and Slim Jim.
	Joshua Crothers Bachelor of Music (Jazz) , with Honours (WAAPA) Josh has been a teacher at John Curtin SHS and Ursula Frayne Catholic College. Josh has performed with Limbic Motion, One Five Nine, Nathan Gaunt, Roman J Wild, his own trio Trilogy, Gomez and WAYJO. In 2007 Josh performed to an audience that included Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
	Toby Anning Bachelor of Music (WAAPA)