This exciting rock and pop workshop brings together young musicians from across Shropshire to rehearse, record, and perform contemporary music in a professional, supportive environment.
Riffs is open to guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboard players, and vocalists at Grade 1 and above, and no previous band experience is needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to play together.
It’s about learning by doing, developing real performance skills, and building confidence through music that feels fresh, relevant, and fun.
Rehearsals take place monthly at selected venues across the county and are led by experienced tutors who are both educators and working musicians.
Sessions focus on ensemble playing, song arrangement, stage presence, and sound balance, with plenty of time for creativity and improvisation.
Pupils work through a range of genres, rock, pop, soul, funk, and even original material – learning how to rehearse like a professional group while improving timing, listening, and teamwork.
The RIFFS groups regularly perform at local concerts, music festivals, and SMS showcase events.
These performances are a highlight for many young musicians, providing a real sense of achievement and a safe space to develop stage confidence.
Parents and carers are always welcome to come along and watch, it’s a brilliant way to see how far students progress from their first rehearsal to their final gig.
RIFFS is about more than playing covers, it’s about developing creativity.
Participants are encouraged to arrange their own versions of songs, experiment with harmonies, and even compose original material.
Through this, they learn how to express themselves musically and work collaboratively, developing vital skills that extend far beyond music itself, confidence, communication, and problem-solving.
Joining RIFFS means joining a community, a space where every young person can find their voice, their rhythm, and their confidence through music that feels alive.
To find out more or register interest in RIFFS, complete our contact form, or call contact Shropshire Music Service on 01743 874145 or email on: admin@shropshiremusicservice.org.uk.