IT’S the school of rock, pop, jazz and pretty much any other musical genre you might care to study.

But what makes Colchester Institute’s Centre for Music and Performing Arts one of the best in the country is its stellar line-up of tutors.

There aren’t many places in the world that offer students aged 16 and over the chance to study with Glastonbury headliners and Guildhall music professors.

Yet that’s exactly what the two-year full-time national diplomas in popular music, music and music technology offer students in Colchester.

At the Sheepen Road site, students learn from from the likes of the guitarist from legendary metal band Cradle of Filth and a music professor from Cambridge University.

They also get the chance to work and perform with undergraduate and masters degree students in ensembles ranging from gospel choir and jazz orchestra to a symphonic wind orchestra and chamber choir.

Matt Simpkins, course leader of the both the A-level and national diploma courses in music, said: “The staff and facilities we have here are pretty fantastic – impressive and important on a national level, and totally different to anything offered by any other schools or colleges locally.

“I don’t think people realise what they have on their doorstep and there are loads of youngsters out there that would really benefit from, and enjoy, what we offer.”

The chance to be taught by ex-Prodigy and Pitch Shifter guitarist Jim Davies is a big attraction.

The former Witham schoolboy, who now lives in Kelvedon, first picked up a guitar at the age of 16, but by 21 was playing with one of the biggest bands in the country.

For ten years he toured the world, and played at festivals such as Reading and Leeds. Jim, now 35, said: “Believe me, the glamour soon wears off. I do miss gigging occasionally but I like the way my life is set up now.”

His time is divided between writing music for TV and films and teaching at the institute. He said: “I’ve been here three years now, starting with one-to-one guitar lessons, but then moving in to other areas, like remixing and music technology.

“I can look these youngsters in the eye and when I’m telling them about being in a band and playing big gigs, they know I know what I’m talking about.”

The institute has a proud record of preparing its students to go on and study music degrees, and forged successful careers in the industry.

Matt, who was a student at the college himself, said: “Every student who left the national diploma last year went on to study music at degree level.

“We had two students gaining entry to the Guildhall school of music and drama, and one to the Rotterdam Conservatoire.

The course regularly sends students to the top conservatoires and students from all courses have gone on to work as performers, recording artists, teachers and composers.”

For more information about the courses on offer at the institute, visit www.colchester.ac.uk/centresofstudy/music call Matt on 01206 712043 or e-mail him at matthew.simpkins@colchester.ac.uk