Queen drummer Roger Taylor has been added as a new Patron for Music at Guildford’s Academy of Contemporary Music.

He joins the Academy alongside Patron for Industry, music executive Nigel Elderton, and Patron for Education, Lord Lingfield.vSurrey resident Taylor cut the ribbon last year on the Academy’s 80-seat Roger Taylor Zildjian Studio where he delivered a master class to ACM students and donated Queen memorabilia to display in the performance studio.

Taylor said: “I am delighted and honoured to be a patron of the Academy of Contemporary Music. Amazing places like this didn’t exist when we were learning to be a group.

“I can’t imagine the impact it would have had: I guess we would have been a whole lot better. I wish all students at least some of the luck, life and career that I have had!”

Julia Leggett, executive director at ACM, said: “Roger embodies everything about ACM, from his passion for performing, to the talent and hard graft on which he has built his astonishing career.

“Roger is a musical icon who our students and staff really look up to. We are incredibly proud to have him on board.”

ACM UK alone is home to 1,200 full-time and 400 part-time students. With additional campuses across Europe, South Africa and the US, high-profile alumni include Amelle Berrabah (Sugababes) and current number one album artist Newton Faulkner.

Source: Music Week