London
Find out about each of our three core strands of NYJO Learning in London:
Through our work in London, we are always looking to support the progression of talented young musicians, alongside supporting less-experienced young musicians to develop new skills and experiment creatively. Our Learning projects always culminate in the opportunity to perform to a supportive audience, giving young people the chance to develop skills and confidence on stage. Whether you have ambitions to join NYJO’s Emerging Professionals programme or are looking to try out group music-making for the very first time, you can always find opportunities to engage with NYJO Learning’s work!
If you would like to find out more about any of our projects in London, please get in touch at [email protected].
NYJO Under 18s
NYJO Under 18s is a Saturday programme for talented young jazz musicians aged 11-18, offering training, ensemble-playing, performance opportunities and jams to develop your technique and your creativity. And to have fun too! Many of our members have aspirations to one day play with NYJO’s professional ensembles, but we’re here to support your learning and progress no matter what your goals are, or what level of experience you have when you join us.
If you’re interested in joining our NYJO Under 18s programme, then please get in touch at [email protected].
We currently offer the following groups on Saturdays:
Ensemble
… (11:00-13:30) for young musicians to develop their skills in ensemble playing, sight-reading, playing by ear, and improvisation techniques.
Band
… (14:00-16:00) to encourage you to think about Big Band music in new ways; learn more about the tradition & explore new approaches.
First Collective
… (12:00 – 13:30) for instrumentalists aged 11 – 16 who are approximately Grades 1 – 4 on their instruments. A new group for 2025.
Plus small group projects and performances, masterclasses, vocal tuition, industry talks, and jam sessions…
In our young musicians’ words:
My sight-reading and confidence has improved massively, I’ve also made lots of new friends and am learning so many new songs/techniques.
I feel more confident as everyone supports each other and all of the MDs are so lovely!
I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile.
Watch the Under 18s in action: November 2024 saw a first for NYJO – the EFG London Jazz Festival debut of our Under 18s groups. Both the Under 18s Ensemble and Band gave sets at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club to a sold-out audience.
Pixie is a pianist in the NYJO Under 18s. During a recent work experience stint with us, we asked Pixie what NYJO means to her. You can read her reflections on the programme and how it has supported her musical growth here.
NYJO Under 18s fees (termly):
- NYJO Under 18s Ensemble: £150
- NYJO Under 18s Band: £125
- NYJO Under 18s First Collective: £50
- NYJO Under 18s Ensemble + Band: £250
Please note that NYJO Under 18s is completely free for any young musician who is in receipt of Free School Meals/any form of benefit/from a low-income background.
In addition to this 25%, 50% and 75% bursaries are available to any young musicians who may otherwise be unable to attend due to financial reasons.
If you’re interested in joining or finding out more about the NYJO Under 18s programme, please get in touch via [email protected]!
Holiday Projects
NYJO Learning’s Holiday Projects offer innovative and progressive opportunities for music education, engagement and support. Projects usually take place across 3-5 days and are open to young musicians aged 12-18 of all abilities. Priority is given to young musicians who live or study in the borough of Greenwich, but anyone is welcome to apply.
If you are interested in taking part in our holiday projects, please get in touch at [email protected] to be added to our mailing list.
Discover NYJO’s latest EP, featuring music created by Under 18s at our May 2024 Holiday Project:
May 2025
This May half-term, NYJO is teaming up with Cameron Naylor for a 3-day soundscape exploration! You will be focusing on sounds right through from first hearing, to recording.
May 2024
Watch a video about our May 2024 half term project, ran over three days with south-east London-based artist collective Levitation Orchestra, and resulting in our latest EP:
Steam Down
Read all about our brilliant project with Steam Down in February 2024, and listen to the amazing original works created by the young musicians.
Oct Half Term
Read about our half term workshop in October 2023, where we co-created ‘NYJO Living Values’ with our Under 18s musicians & local young people.
June Half Term
Read about our vocal workshops in June 2023, led by Scarlet Halton and Ranjana Ghatak at our home in Woolwich Works.
Vocal Workshop
In February 2023, vocalists aged 12-18 from Greenwich and the surrounding areas came together to experiment with new genres, and explore songwriting. Check out the video:
Community Outreach
We offer a range of opportunities for the community surrounding our home at Woolwich Works, and in the wider London area. These include our community singing group, work in schools, and partner projects with Cardboard Citizens and SoundSkool. Through our community outreach work, we are always aiming to help remove some of the barriers people in our area face when accessing arts and music.
We are guided by all four Arts Council NPO Investment Principles within our work. Our Community Outreach programme embeds the Inclusivity & Relevance Principle in our commitment to achieving greater fairness, access and opportunity in music education. We want to embrace the diversity of our communities and the culture they produce.
Read about some of our community projects and programmes here, and as above, get in touch with us at [email protected] with any questions or queries.
Read about how Community Outreach fitted into the EFG London Jazz Festival 2024:
Sound Foundations
We are running a first-access project in partnership with two Greenwich Secondary Schools to give young people an instrument and group tuition for the first time.
First Time Jazz 2025
Read about our January and February First Time Jazz tours, taking a NYJO quintet into 13 schools across London to introduce young people to live jazz music for the first time.
Sherard Road Songbirds
The Sherard Road Songbirds, our community choir run in partnership with Age UK Greenwich, is a place where adults can connect through music.
King’s Cross Summer Project
Beth Ismay, Learning Programmes Manager, has been featured on the blog of the Music Workshop Company, talking about our King’s Cross Summer Project for 14-18-year-olds.
SoundSkool 2024
Reflecting on our third year collaborating with SoundSkool, a full-time, fully-funded music industry college for 16-19 year olds in East London.
Royal Greenwich Trust School
Discover our 8-week project with a band at Royal Greenwich Trust School to help launch their musical programme.
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