At NYJO, our mission is to cultivate the next wave of jazz talent, and our recent taster recruitment sessions in schools have been nothing short of inspiring. Engaging with young musicians and introducing them to the exciting opportunities offered by our NYJO Under 18s programme has reaffirmed why we do what we do.
NYJO Under 18s is a vibrant Saturday programme designed for young jazz musicians. Whether you’re an accomplished instrumentalist or just starting out, our sessions offer training, ensemble-playing, performance opportunities, and jam sessions in a safe, supportive, and creative environment.
The response during these school visits has been fantastic, with many students eager to explore what jazz can offer. It was wonderful to see the young people getting excited about honing their technique, jamming with peers and showcasing their creativity.
‘It was an absolute pleasure to visit 12 schools across London as part of our recruitment tour in Autumn 2024. We met KS3 & 4 music classes as well as existing school bands and orchestras full of brilliant young people who were excited by the opportunity to explore improvisation and creative music-making with us. I’m grateful to our MDs who led these workshops in order to help us spread the word about our brilliant Saturday Under 18s programme.’
– Beth Ismay, Learning Programmes Manager
Creating Pathways for Every Musician
One of the stand-out features of our learning programme is its inclusivity. We know that every musician’s journey is unique, so we’ve tailored our offerings to support a range of skill levels and goals. For those just stepping into the world of jazz, our ‘First Collective’ provides the perfect entry point.
We are particularly excited to be launching this new group on Saturdays specially designed for instrumentalists aged 11 – 16 who are approximately Grades 1 – 4 on their instruments and curated by a team of our NYJO Emerging Professional musicians. This group is there to give young people the chance to explore improvisation and creative music-making within a safe and nurturing environment right from the start of their instrumental learning. First Collective focusses on ensemble experiences that emphasise growth, confidence-building, and, most importantly, fun.
‘Learning songs by ear as an ensemble was fun.’
– First Collective Taster Tour Participant
‘The need for this has been really clear throughout our recent work with schools. Many existing groups for more beginner players are targeted towards primary school-age children, meaning that young people who start learning an instrument as a teenager often feel that they have nowhere to go where they can play with others and build their skills within an environment that’s appropriately catered towards their age and interests. I am so pleased to have already seen a number of the young people that we met across this recruitment tour already attending taster sessions to join First Collective, and am looking forward to seeing how they grow with us!’
– Beth Ismay, Learning Programmes Manager
‘Beginners ensembles are so important for creating an opportunity for new young people to join the jazz party! Perhaps one day playing in a main NYJO gig, or spending the next four years having fun and making friends, these young people are a fundamental part of what we do.’
– Vikki Maudave, Head of Programmes
Meanwhile, more experienced musicians aged 14 – 18 can take advantage of our Saturday ‘Ensemble’ with Resident MD Winston Clifford from 11:00 – 13:30 to develop sight-reading, playing by ear, and improvisation techniques. The sessions develop young people’s listening, playing and performance skills. Find out more here.
For those who would like to explore new approaches to Big Band, we have ‘Band’ every Saturday from 14:00 – 16:00, with Resident MD Olivia Murphy who supports young musicians to develop their ensemble playing skills alongside like-minded peers. Find out more here.
Beyond Technique: Creativity, Confidence, and Community
The NYJO Under 18s programme goes far beyond technical training. It’s a space where young musicians can experiment, take creative risks, and grow as individuals. Through ensemble work and performance opportunities, they learn not just how to play music, but how to connect with others and express themselves authentically.
Our Saturday sessions are also an opportunity to join a community of passionate musicians who share a love of jazz. Many participants highlight the friendships and camaraderie they’ve built through the programme as one of its most rewarding aspects.
‘The sessions were really great to work together with other musicians, something I’d not been able to before on the drums, and the staff made it very fun and engaging.’
– First Collective Taster Session Participant
Why Join NYJO Under 18s?
If you’re a young musician—or you know one—there’s never been a better time to join our NYJO Under 18s programme. Our recruitment drive continues, and we’re always looking for fresh talent to join the ranks of our ensembles. Whether you’re drawn to the improvisational freedom of jazz, the chance to collaborate with others, or the joy of performing, NYJO is the place to be.
‘I feel so so much more comfortable soloing and improvising than I did when I started, and this is largely down to the comfortable space to try and the lessons at NYJO.’
– NYJO U18s Band Participant
If you’re interested in learning more or signing up, visit our learning page here. Join us, and let’s make music together!