Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
News
21 December, 2023
Year In Review: 2023!
Share this Article
- Share on Facebook
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Twitter
- Copy link Copied to clipboard
Year In Review: 2023
2023 at RSL has been a whirlwind of innovation, great achievements and good fun. Here’s a quick snapshot of 2023 with RSL.
Highlights:
Leading The Way In Innovation
From its inception, RSL has always led the way in education innovation and we continue to find modern solutions to help our candidates become better performers. This year saw the release of our new e-books utilising RSL Learning Platform technology powered by MatchMySound. This cutting-edge technology provides musicians with the ability to digitally slow down, loop and jam along to an array of Rockschool and RSL Classical pieces. The introduction of the new e-books was just the first iteration of innovation from RSL in 2023.
A new website to serve the modern musician
It’s no secret that the way we surf the internet, make purchases and use our mobile devices has changed in recent years so at RSL, we wanted a website that served this. This summer saw the launch of our new website with a brand-new interface, fresh new faces and improved shopping experience. This new website was built to make it easier to find the pages you’re looking for and make it smoother to add items to your cart on a variety of devices.
Have you tried out the new RSL Shop on our website?
Whether you’re looking to purchase your next exam entry or buy a brand new Rockschool jumper, you can find it all on the new RSL Shop.
Spotlight On You!
We have the privilege of working with some of the most talented performers this generation has to offer and 2023 was no different. This year we shone a light of individuals who made great achievements and centres who continue to show the essence of elite performers.
Rockschool Stories
This year we placed a spotlight on extraordinary drummers Rhys Galvin and Oscar Evans who both earned distinctions in their exams and are sure to inspire others. You can read Rhys and Oscar’s Rockschool stories here.
Centre Spotlight
We also visited several of our talented centres across the UK to highlight how they’re using our qualifications to inspire the next generation of creatives…
Platinum Academy
Based in North London, Platinum Academy of Performing Arts is home to a group of exceptional performers. These performers are the pinnacle of what triple threats look like; showcasing talent in commercial dance, singing, acting and even behind the scenes skills such as lighting and choreography. The Level 3 Creative and Performing Arts from RSL Vocational Qualifications gives these performers the platform to develop these skills which they will utilise in the industry. Take a look at this interview from Platinum Academy to find out how the Creative and Performing Arts suite of qualifications best serves these students.
London School of Music
Based in East London, The London School of Music offers an array of music lessons to people of all ages. We were thrilled to be invited to their recent charity gig which aimed to raise enough funds to provide a year’s worth of free music lessons to 16 students in the local area. This event was full of talented performances and we were honoured to be there. Watch the video below to see more on The London School of Music and the event.
We Loved Awards Season
From a lifetime achievement award to sponsoring the exciting youth music awards, awards season was a gleaming highlight of 2023.
Norton York Receives Lifetime Achievement
In February, RSL Founder Norton York received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement at the Music and Drama Awards. It was a pleasure to see Norton’s continuous work promoting popular music education being recognised on such an occasion. Norton also released his latest report on the music education system in England and how music education is thriving. You can download a digital version of his report below.
Youth Music Awards
October was the Youth Music Awards. Home to some of the most outstanding talent the UK has to offer, this event celebrated many up-and-coming artists and we were honoured to be a sponsor at this event. This was the shows fourth annual event and welcomed more than 500 guests from throughout the industry. Some of the winners included Ni Maxine, Form and Eva with special performances from ALT BLK ERA and Qazi & Qazi. This was truly a phenomenal night and congratulations once again to all the winners that night.
Launching A One-of-a-Kind Horn Section Syllabus
This year we launched a one-of-a-kind syllabus crafted to serve aspiring horn players in a way that has not been done before. We launched the Rockschool Horn Section syllabus, the first syllabus specifically created to equip horns musicians on the skills needed to play in a succinct horns section. At RSL, we continue to create tools that help musicians become industry ready and playing in a horns section is a practical and coveted skill that hasn’t been covered in music education until now.
These syllabuses gives players the opportunity to play amongst a group, which is one element that examination has previously missed. With all the backing tracks that are provided, you get the chance to play in a professional environment. Having the opportunity to be a part of the horns section, follow the phrasing, the articulation and the tuning is a real advantage and gives the experience of what it would be like as a gigging musician or recording musician.
Kieran McLeod, Trombonist, Syllabus Consultant and Arranger
RSL Launched RSL Academy
The go-to Teacher Training course for teachers looking to enhance their teaching skillset. We kicked this off with a one-day in-person CPD day on Friday 1st December 2023 with teachers travelling from near and far to learn the first four progressive stages of teacher training delivered by some of RSL Academy’s in-house teaching experts.
This in-person event was just the first of many more teacher training sessions to come both in-person and online. Learn more and register your interest for our next Teacher Training session:
We’ve Been Around The World in 2023!
This year we made it our mission to tour the world, visiting as many of our centres and international partners as possible. One amazing thing about the creative arts is that creativity can be found in every region and we saw a plethora of talented musicians and performers throughout our visits.
Patrick’s in Singapore!
Our Head of Business Development, Patrick Healy, took a trip to Singapore to visit some of our remarkable partners and centres. Among the talented performers and incredible teachers, Patrick was also able to visit some of the sites along the way.
My first time in Asia and I got to visit three remarkable places.
My trip began in the sweltering heat of Dubai, finally meeting a long-standing customer face-to-face at the excellent Dubai English Speaking College. I also managed to visit a newer customer in the Emirates at Safa Community School.
Then on to Kuala Lumpur, a charming city, exceedingly humid and also exceedingly green in parts. There I took part in The Big Gig, a Musical Futures International event at The Garden International School and then met with some other potential customers from nearby Music Schools.
Lastly I flew to Singapore for more meetings, including a visit to our distributors and some incredible hospitality from our friends at Hitmaker Academy.
Patrick Healy, Head of Business Development, RSL
Mike in Asia!
Our Head of International Strategy, Mike Stylianou, has done his fair share of international travel since arriving back at RSL in September. He has attended Music China, 2023 China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education, FOBISIA Music Teachers’ Conference and Saraxa International Education Summit 2023 to name a few. Mike comes at a great time when we look to increase support for our international centres and partners. When asked about his tours in Asia, Mike stated…
Just a week after joining RSL Awards, I embarked on a journey to China, visiting our network of dedicated music schools and teachers who continued to teach during some of the toughest times of the pandemic.
After returning to the UK for just one week, I travelled onto Singapore where we attended the FOBISIA’s annual Music Teachers’ Conference. From Singapore, I flew back to China for the enormous Music China event, where RSL Awards has been exhibiting regularly since 2014. I also had the chance to represent RSL Awards on a UK TVET Skills mission, hosted and organised by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and supported by the UK Embassy and the British Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.
In December, I returned to China to attend several High Achievers’ concerts across the country, spending a short while in Hong Kong before stopping off at Palakkad, Kerala, India to attend the first ever edition of the Saraxa International Education Summit en route to the UK. Throughout my tour I’ve met with teachers, parents and educators with keen interest in pursuing excellence in education in both academic, vocational and extracurricular environments.
In my first 3 months at RSL Awards, I have been in the UK for about 4 weeks, so it’s nice to be home for Christmas!
Mike Stylianou, Head of International Strategy, RSL
David’s tour of the UK
Our Senior Business Development Manager, David Jones, has also been busy touring the UK, visiting many of our centres that have been championing Rockschool grades for years.
It’s been another busy year for the UK Business Development team where we’ve engaged with new and existing customers, promoting RSL’s qualifications and products at a range of exciting events. These include the Music & Drama Education Expo, MOVE IT, Stagecoach Annual Conference, Music Teachers’ Association Conference, and numerous Music Hub events and Music School concerts.
One of my personal highlights this year has been attending the iconic Abbey Road Studios with the Teachers Rock® Academy Choir, where they recorded 7 tracks and took part in an RSL Level 3 Certificate in Group Performance (Music), where they achieved a Distinction. Bring on 2024!
David Jones, Senior Business Development Manager, RSL
Teachers Rock Record In The Iconic Abbey Road Studios!
Abbey Road studios has been graced by many of the world’s most iconic singers, bands and musicians and on 21st October, the Teachers Rock intergenerational choir took to the stage. This comes after of years of preparation led by CEO and Founder Debbie Kent which was evident in the outstanding performances they gave throughout the day. Aside from recording in the same studios as some of the greatest musicians of this generation, this day was also a triumph for the ensemble as they earned a distinction for their group performances.
In Summary
Travelling the world, meeting partners and students who love the RSL syllabuses and seeing phenomenal performers is the reason why we at RSL work so hard to provide all the resources needed to equip creatives the world over.
This year has been filled with so many highlights, we weren’t able to include everything, but one thing is true; if this was 2023 we can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store!
