YOUNG people from around Warrington are ready to join the likes of Oasis and Cast after a music course at the Menai centre in Anglesey.

The course was for 15-18 year olds and it allowed students to improve their skills through various workshops where they were advised how to write songs, use a rhythm section and even sing.

The idea for the course came from Mervyn Williams, head of Cheshire Music School, who said that many courses had been dedicated to classical music, but there were very few for alternative music.

Both students and teachers were impressed by the whole concept of the course. Michael Grainger, a student at Penketh County High said: "The course gets you out of set ideas that you had before. It was great to meet people from different backgrounds with different musical tastes."

Rebecca Pathmarajah of Birchwood Community High said: "The jamming sessions we had in the evenings were excellent. Everyone had a really good time."

Carole Owen, a music teacher at Birchwood Community High, said: "I was stunned by the musicianship of all the pupils that attended. Some of it sounded so professional, it was unbelievable."

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