NYJO Learning: Steam Down half-term project

January 30, 2024

This February half-term, NYJO is delighted to be teaming up with Steam Down for a very exciting 3-day project happening at Woolwich Works!

Steam Down is an artist collective, weekly event and music community based in Deptford, South-East London. Founded by multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Ahnansé in 2017, the initial event was created to connect London-based musicians and producers. Since then it has evolved into a weekly event where Steam Down artists and its extended musical family generate spontaneous sonic soundscapes reflecting their lives in the city.

 

Where, When and Who
  • 13th-15th of February
  • Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, SE18 6HD
  • All musicians welcome, including vocalists, aged 14-19
  • Priority places for Greenwich residents and NYJO members
  • Please apply before Friday, the 9th of February

 

 

This project will be an opportunity to spend 3 days with some of the most exciting London jazz musicians, working on and developing your own ideas and compositions to create original pieces. Spend your half-term making music in a collective of likeminded young musicians. The workshop will create original pieces to be performed at a showcase on Thursday evening.

 

Interested in taking part?
  • Get in touch with [email protected] for more information
  • Places for this project are £80 for the 3 days
  • 50% discount for Greenwich residents and NYJO Under 18s members
  • FREE for any young person in receipt of Free School Meals, any form of benefit and/or from a low income family

We never want cost to be a barrier to access our programmes and have bursaries available for anyone who needs it.

Application deadline: 9 February

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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