Marshall's music school in Queensbury hits right note

Nichola and Will Marshall both worked in state education until they opened The Marshall's School of Music in October last year.

Initially the duo rented space at The Heritage Venue in Queensbury's historic Black Dyke Mills.

But the lockdown has proved a fruitful time as they received the keys for their own unit within the mill complex and have spent eight weeks renovating the derelict space.

Will Marshall

Nichola told the Telegraph & Argus: "We were both disheartened with music education and creative subjects in schools across Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford.

"We wanted to provide music to everyone and make it affordable and accessible to all. We wanted everyone to be able to access music, not just on a 1:1 basis but also through groups, bands and choirs. We were growing rapidly and then Corona hit!

"We frantically moved the entire business online within 24 hours and had the best time creating new ways on how to run choirs and band sessions over Zoom!

"It was all amazing and really created a sense of community and support to all of our students (and families). We held a fortnightly zoom music quiz that was a great success and we are planning to continue this as a live event once life returns to normality."

Such has been the success of the couple's online classes and groups that student numbers have actually increased over the lockdown, with around 150 students currently signed up.

Of the once derelict space which is now a music school and coffee house, she added: "We opened last week and it has been just amazing!

Nichola Marshall

"Our students are all returning for face to face lessons and sessions and our new neighbourhood coffee house seems to be exactly what our community needed.

"We feel so lucky that during this terrible and extremely difficult time, that we have been able to keep music in everyone's lives and create a space for all of our customers that feels positive and gives a sense of family to our students and families."

Will, whose background is as vocal coach, alongside other tutors, can offer lessons in guitar and bass, drums, singing and piano.

They offer individual lessons, as well as 'band' groups, from children as young as four.

In fact one of their most popular sessions is what they call, Little Rock, for four to six-year-olds, aiming to engage children in learning and performing music from a young age.

Lewis Oldfield

They say: "Little Rock has been specially created by us to engage children in music through working with their strengths such as their mechanical skills.

"We work with rhythm and colour and involve the young musicians in creating their band's own rhythms as part of the songwriting element of the program.

"Children will learn communication skills through working with their own band in various team building exercises, and bringing these skills together at the end of each level with an awesome real life gig."