NYJO in Cumbria: Easter Jazz Weekend

March 28, 2023

NYJO Learning is partnering with Cumbria Music Service for an exciting Easter weekend jazz residential 

 

In 2023, NYJO is delighted to be partnering with Cumbria Music Service to deliver their first Easter jazz residential! Young musicians will be able to join us for a long weekend at Hawse End Centre, at the head of the magnificent Borrowdale Valley on the shores of Derwentwater. The course will include activities delivered by Cumbria Outdoors experiences leaders, alongside jazz-focused creative group music-making.

Delivered in small groups, young musicians will be able to learn together, support one another and make new friends through high-quality, inclusive workshops. We know that rural isolation can be a major barrier to accessing music-making opportunities in this area, and we hope that this delivery model will enable young people to access group music-making without having to rely so heavily on public transport and lifts from family members and friends.

Sessions will be delivered by NYJO alumna Olivia Murphy. Olivia is a multi-award-winning composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist based in Southeast London. After studying jazz saxophone at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Olivia has found composition her main focus writing, arranging and conducting for ensembles such as NYJO and her own 21-piece band, the Olivia Murphy Jazz Orchestra.

 

 

We know that engaging in music-making activities has educational and social benefits for young people, increasing their aspirations and supporting them to meet like-minded new people. We hope that this approach will help to widen access to these opportunities for young people across Cumbria! If you work for a Hub or Music Service and are interesting in getting involved with our Widening Access programme, please get in touch today by dropping us a message at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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

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