A PEEBLESSHIRE music school has added a new branch to its music exam offerings.

For the past 10 years Nomad Beat has been a centre for ABRSM graded music exams.

But now the school has added Trinity College rock, pop, classical, and jazz tests in Grades 1-8 to its services.

The school has reported that young people are "very motivated" by the opportunities offered on the Trinity Rock and Pop syllabuses, adding that the structured programme can incentivise all students.

Lauren Goldthorpe, a Nomad Beat Trustee and a music examiner herself, said: “So many children and adults enjoy playing rock and pop hits, yet music exams are often seen as something only for classical musicians. With the new rock and pop exams we offer, students can work towards stepped goals right from the earliest stages and achieve internationally recognised qualifications (at Grades 6-8 these carry UCAS points for university entry).

"So whether you already play in a band or just enjoy strumming your guitar in your bedroom, Trinity Rock and Pop at Nomad Beat can take your playing on an exciting journey to the next level.

"We also the opportunity to play with other like-minded musicians, which is great fun!"

To mark Nomad Beat's new Trinity centre, the tutors and students were given a lively presentation by Jonathon Wheeler, the national development manager of Trinity Rock and Pop, about the exams to be offered.

Students looking to sit Trinity exams with Nomad Beat will have a wide range of songs to select from the syllabuses – all of which are the genuine item, as performed by the original artists, and are not just arrangements.

Nomad Beat has already supported a number of rock and pop musicians in and around Peebles – a number of whom play regular gigs in the area – and the school hopes the new Trinity exams will attract more musicians to develop their talents with Nomad Beat and their expert tutors.

For more information on the Trinity Rock and Pop exams offered through Nomad Beat, or to discuss guitar, drums, or vocal lesson, contact Nomad Beat on 01721 722472 or by emailing: info@nomadbeat.com