Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger is now the official patron of the Dartford Music School, with funding from the superstar being used to run a wider range of courses.

Based at the Mick Jagger Centre in Shepherds Lane, Dartford, the school will host a special open day today from 10am to 2pm, and manager Jonathan Kitching says it’s a chance to show off recent work at the school.

“I’ve spent the past year redesigning booking and extending the programme for courses,” he said.

“Mick has been heavily involved in supporting the Red Rooster project - our flagship project for children between seven and 11 in Dartford, which gives them a chance to learn a musical instrument and to interact with others, to develop their musicianship.”

He said other recent initiatives include the "Groove Like Jagger" course, which gives young musicians with some experience the opportunity to 'jam' together in a more popular music setting and encourages them to "engage with the wealth of music from the last century, allowing them to make artistic and creative decisions".

"Mick has been heavily involved in supporting our flagship project for children between seven and 11, which gives them a chance to learn a musical instrument and to interact with others" - Jonathan Kitching

The Dartford Orchestra For Young People - a partnership with Kent Music - enables players of all instruments to meet other young musicians from across Dartford and challenge the idea of the traditional orchestra, in a fun environment.

“It’s really exciting to have more pans on the stove and start catering for different musical styles and disciplines,” added Mr Kitching.

“We’ve had instrumental lessons for so long but there’s not always that opportunity to take the skills and make music.

“We’ve also increased the number of teachers - with the weight the name Jagger has, it’s allowed us to attract more experience.”

All the projects at the school are supported by a team of 25 music teachers who deliver one-to-one instrumental lessons across a range of disciplines, and help coordinate group projects.

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