We are shining a light on our Under 18s this month at NYJO. After the smashing success of our showcase in the Woolwich Works Courtyard in July, we are running four more brilliant opportunities for young musicians to develop ensemble skills with our resident experts this month. We’re also spotlighting our newest large ensemble, NYJO Blueprint Orchestra in their first live appearances.
Woolwich Works Summer Showcase:
Family and friends gathered for a summer serenade from NYJO’s First Collective, Sound Foundations, Band, Ensemble and Choir. Musical moments to remember include a gorgeous rendition of Duke Ellington’s Flamingo, and an inspiring extended take of Night in Tunisia arranged for our young musicians by resident Musical Director Winston Clifford.
Three of our Under 18s performers also completed their work experience with us this July and have contributed written blogs reflecting on their training at NYJO. Read about the impact our weekly ensembles have had on our drummer Beau, singer Juliette and saxophonist Iasmina!
This August 26th we will be filling the Woolwich Works Courtyard with music again for our Second Line Summer Showcase, more details here.
First look at NYJO Blueprint Orchestra:
On 2nd July, we held a sneak preview of our brand new ensemble at the Tabernacle Theatre – NYJO Blueprint Orchestra’s very first live rehearsal to an audience of supporters and donors. After meeting weekly for a few months now, the band are flourishing under the guidance of Music Director Olivia Murphy. The atmosphere was one of enthusiasm and anticipation.
NYJO’s Development Director Michael Volpe said:
‘It was exciting to be able to finally give our friends and supporters the chance to see and hear NBO, and to help them envision the kind of exciting future that orchestras has.”
Don’t miss their first public show as part of this year’s Windsor Festival line up in September. Tickets are now live.
August Coventry Holiday Project
Tuesday 18th – Wednesday 19th August, 12-4pm
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, CV4 7FD
NYJO Resident MD Winston Clifford will support musicians aged 13-18 to learn more about counting, listening to yourselves and others in ensemble playing. The music of Theolonious Monk will serve as a stimuli for lessons in rhythm, improvisation, harmony, groove, and syncopation.
NYJO Second Line Summer Showcase
Wednesday 26th August, 10:30am
Woolwich Works, Greenwich Place SE18 6HD
NYJO Lead Educator and Resident MD, Vij Prakash, will introduce you to the joyful, communal music tradition of the Second Line brass band. To take part in this project, please fill in the registration form by no later than the end of the day on Friday 14 August.
Thursday 27th August, 12-4pm
Woolwich Works, Greenwich Place SE18 6HD
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. The project will culminate in a show at Chelsea Arts Fest in September.
‘In Harmony’: NYJO’s Summer Vocal Project
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 August, 12-5pm
Woolwich Works, Greenwich SE18 6HD
We will be delving into the iconic catalogue of American songstress Carole King, with NYJO vocalist Daisy Houlder. The project will culminate in a show at Chelsea Arts Fest in September.
NYJO Blueprint Orchestra at Windsor Festival
Saturday 19th September, 8pm
Parish Church, Windsor
A debut for NYJO’s newest super group, with a show that features music from Akiyoshi and Ellington. A showcase of the power, innovation and lasting appeal of large-ensemble jazz.
Timeless Icons: The Music of Miles Davis and Nina Simone
Saturday 19th September, 7:30pm
Cadogan Hall (as part of Chelsea Arts Festival)
A double-bill of hits from tributes to the great Nina Simone and the great Miles Davis. Featuring a big band reprise of Fodder On My Wings from NYJO’s 60th year celebration led by NYJO’s own Olivia Cuttill and the nine-piece ode to Davis’ Birth of the Cool led by NYJO’s Tom Stringer.
