February Holiday Project: Percussion Workshops

February 18, 2025
11:00 am

Every half-term, we run Holiday Projects for local young people in home at Woolwich Works. This February, this is taking the form of three days of percussion workshops based around African Drumming, Steel Pans and Samba. These workshops are open to any young people currently at secondary school and we welcome all levels of experience. You do not need to have previous experience playing percussion in these styles – just come along and be willing to try new things!

Tuesday 18 February: Combining drumming, percussion, singing, movement and laughter, you will look at developing your sense of rhythm, timing, and coordination, whilst building your confidence in being expressive and creative.

Wednesday 19 February: You will discover the “kitchen of the steelband” and learn how the different rhythms within a steelband interact to create vibrant & interlocking sounds.

Thursday 20 February: You will have a chance to explore body percussion and Brazilian swing.

The three days of workshops 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. £25 if you live or study in the borough of Greenwich.
3. £50 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 the February percussion workshops, please fill in the registration form linked here by no later than Monday 10 February. If you have any questions relating to the workshops, feel free to drop us a message at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Event details

Event date:
February 18, 2025

Event end date:
February 20, 2025

Event time:
11:00 am

Woolwich Works

11 No 1 Street, London, SE18 6HD

Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.” 

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ” 

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

"Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process."

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

Jazzwise quote

"NYJO has never been conformist, never hewing to one particular line, never known for fawning replications and very deliberately these days a vehicle for new possibilities."

Jazzwise Magazine

Lydia (EP quote)

"The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!"

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

Anna (Learning national quote)

"[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

Briony (Learning U18s quote)

"I’ve felt very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing musicians, and I think that the environment at NYJO – which has fostered creativity and improvisation – has allowed my confidence and musical ideas to grow."

Briony, NYJO Under 18s

Oscar (Learning U18s quote)

"I think I’ve progressed a lot in my piano-playing. NYJO has helped me to flourish and really enjoy it. I’ve really enjoyed being engrossed in a high level of playing and learning things in a hands-on-way. I also like the diversity of perspectives and abilities of all the players and teachers which enables me to try things I might not normally."

Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

Jennie (Learning U18s quote)

"NYJO has got me listening to more jazz and learning more changes. It has also helped with working as a band. I’ve really enjoyed the free jazz, learning by ear, the people, and the atmosphere."

Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

"I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile. Though I have fun I’m still learning on the way which makes me feel productive too."

Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s