Some of the UK's most high profile and respected rock and pop musicians have joined forces for a national music making campaign, based around free introductory music lessons for all through Yamaha's national network of Music Schools. Aimed at introducing people of all ages to music making, the scheme will also raise substantial funds for ChildLine, the free helpline for children provided by the NSPCC.

Musician supporters and ambassadors backing the scheme include Paolo Nutini, Joe Bonamassa, The Enemy's Tom Clarke, double Grammy award winning producer and Sting band member Kipper and long time ChildLine advocate Thunder's Luke Morley. They are joined by Jazz -ace Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland and drummers Troy Miller ( Amy Winehouse), Feeder's Mark Richardson and Andrew Small.

The ambitious programme, starting in September, will offer free introductory lessons on guitar, drums and keyboards and be open to people of all ages. The tuition will be provided by fully trained music teachers via the 90 strong national network of Yamaha Music Schools which already teaches over 9000 pupils every week. Participants in the scheme will be invited to make a suggested donation of £2 or more for each lesson to ChildLine. The organisers hope that the free lesson promotion will raise up to £60,000 for the charity.

The campaign will have an underlying theme aimed at raising awareness of ChildLine, which is currently able to answer just two thirds of the 2.3 million calls it receives every year from children and young people in distress.

To supercharge participation and fund raising, this years programme will culminate at the 2010 ChildLine Rocks Gig at the O2 Indigo, where a band formed from Yamaha Music School pupils will be invited to open the show following a public vote. The band will then become Young ChildLine Rocks ambassadors touring schools to raise funds and awareness following the concert.

ChildLine Rocks, the annual fundraising rock concert for ChildLine, is compared by the legendary broadcaster ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris

ChildLine Rocks 2010 will make a significant contribution towards raising funds for ChildLine as part of the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal which needs to raise £50 million to ensure that every child’s call for help gets answered. Currently, the NSPCC are only able to answer two thirds of the calls made to ChildLine.

Joe Bonamassa comments "I think the fact that Yamaha are able to offer free music lessons to people of all ages, and help raise funds for ChildLine, presents an amazing opportunity for people to experience music that wouldn’t otherwise be fortunate enough to afford it. To me music is a form of expression like no other, which everyone should be given a chance to discover."

Luke Morley comments "For people who may not have previously discovered the joys of making music, this will be a great opportunity! Music does have the power to change lives in a positive way and if we can heighten awareness of ChildLine and raise some cash at the same time, what could be better?"

Nigel Burrows from Yamaha told us "This is a fantastic campaign combining free music making opportunities with a substantial fund raising effort for ChildLine, we have been inspired by the level of support we have received from our artist friends who will ensure that we get maximum awareness and impact thus leading to more lessons and cash for ChildLine. Our aim is to raise about £60,000 and then ensure that the programme takes place annually"

The promotion will also be boosted by regional fundraising events and concerts throughout the year and a selection of instruments signed by musician supporters has been made available for additional activities

To find out more about how to get involved please visit www.

About Yamaha Music Schools

Founded in the UK in 1976 and hugely popular worldwide, the UK Yamaha Music School network is now a major music education provider and valued partner of local music services and state schools. All courses are fully independently accredited

Yamaha have about 90 schools nationwide and growing, about 30% are within state schools, the remainder are independently managed and run. Currently Yamaha teach over 9000 pupils each week.

About the NSPCC and ChildLine

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC’s purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC is urging everyone to save its Helpline number - 0808 800 5000 - to their phone and to call if they suspect a child is at risk of harm.

About the Child's Voice Appeal

The government has pledged £30M over four years towards the expansion of ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline, but the NSPCC needs the support of the public to raise a further £50m through the Child's Voice Appeal, to make its vision to answer many more cries for help a reality. Everyone can support the Child's Voice Appeal at www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk

About ChildLine Rocks

ChildLine Rocks launched its first show at the O2’s IndigO2 arena on 13 March 2008 and raised over £100,000 for ChildLine. The concert featured an all star line up of Roger Daltrey, Marillion, Thunder, Fish, Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), The Zombies, Brian Bennett and Russ Ballard. The evening also featured a special VIP auction of rock memorabilia where lucky bidders could win tickets for a flight on the Iron Maiden 757, piloted by Bruce Dickinson for a trip to see Iron Maiden play live in Lisbon, a Led Zeppelin plaque signed by Robert Plant and signed guitars from Jimmy Page, Status Quo, Noel Gallagher and a custom made Gibson signed by all the acts and artists featured on the night.

ChildLine Rocks 2009 featured Steve Harley, Jon Lord and Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple, Thunder, The Pretty Things, Uriah Heep, Hot Leg, Sons of Albion and Steve Balsamo.

ChildLine Rocks is extremely grateful to all its music industry supporters which include Yamaha, Classic Rock magazine, Planet Rock radio and the Hard Rock Café. ChildLine Rocks is also eternally grateful to all of the musicians supporting the project.