NYJO’s Big Band Summer School

August 27, 2026
12:00 pm

Thursday 27 – Friday 28 August, 12:00 – 17:00,
Woolwich Works, Greenwich SE18 6HD
and a final showcase performance in Sloane Square, Chelsea on Saturday 19 September

NYJO’s Big Band Summer School

For young people aged 13 – 18, who are Grades 3 and above on their instrument and are interested in exploring ensemble playing and improvisation. All instruments are welcome!

NYJO Lead Educator Sam Eastmond will introduce you to Big Band arrangements of the music of legendary NYC composer John Zorn and his MASADA Books. Over two days in August, you will learn and explore a key mode for this music, helping you to understand how to integrate improvisation and experimentation into the core of your music-making, and to learn and play pieces within this sound world.

This project will finish with a showcase performance of your hard work in Sloane Square as part of this year’s Chelsea Arts Festival, giving you the chance to perform in a large-scale public event as part of a NYJO Big Band!

Fees to take part in the project are:

1. Free if you are in receipt of Pupil Premium/Free School Meals/from a low-income family in receipt of any form of benefit.
2. Free if you live or study in the borough of Chelsea, through our partnership with Chelsea Arts Festival.
3. £30 for all other young people.

Please don’t let the cost be a barrier to you coming – we will do our best to reduce the cost for anyone who needs it so please just get in touch.

To take part in this project, please fill in the registration form by no later than the end of the day on Friday 31 July.

If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Event details

Event date:
August 27, 2026

Event end date:
August 28, 2026

Event time:
12:00 pm

Woolwich Works

The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street

London, SE18 6HD

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NYJO Blueprint Orchestra

A new, forward-looking big band programme for NYJO Emerging Professional musicians.

Find out more about getting involved, upcoming gigs and how you can support.

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Musical Director Olivia Murphy stands with her back to the camera, she is conducting the Blueprint Orchestra rehearsal.

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