NYJO Academy Big Band Relaunch
4 August 2015
The NYJO Academy is very pleased to announce that it is relaunching the NYJO Academy Big Band in September 2015 and is holding auditions to recruit new members.
The band, led by drummer Sebastiaan DeKrom, is the NYJO Academy’s flagship ensemble and its role is to equip talented young musicians with a solid foundation in the big band genre – helping to prepare them for entry into the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, or the music profession.
The all-new NYJO Academy Big Band will be structured around a series of ‘projects’, comprising of 8-10 Saturday rehearsals at the NYJO Academy and finishing with a gig. Projects may be centred around the work of a particular composer or genre, such as Count Basie, Charles Mingus or Loose Tubes. The first project (starting on 19th September) will explore the huge legacy of Duke Ellington and culminate in a performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2015.
We are on the lookout for promising musicians under the age of 24 to join the pool of talent who will then have opportunity to sign up for projects. Auditioning is free but rehearsal sessions cost £5 (free for FE/HE students and bursaries are available). We’re looking for musicians who are strong improvisers with sight reading ability, who are keen to improve their section playing and gain an in depth understanding of the big band tradition and its future.
HOW TO AUDITION
Auditions will take place on Saturday 12 September at the London Centre of Contemporary Music.
Applications are open to all musicians aged 24 and younger who play saxes, trombone, trumpet, guitar, piano, bass and drums.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT AUDITIONING VOCALISTS. Vocalists are welcome to attend the NYJO Academy Vocal Class. For more information visit
To apply, please visit for more information andto download an application form
Please email your form post it to NYJO, 5Vigo Street, Westminster W1S 3HB. The closing date for applications is 6pm on Wednesday 9th September 2015
Successful applicants will be invited to audition and will be required to perform 1 piece of their choice with a rhythm section provided by NYJO Academyalong with a piece of sight reading. You will be notified if you are not invited to audition.
If you have any questions please contact Claire Furlong, Learning & Participation Manager on or call 020 7494 1733.