JazzOrdestra

Northumberland County Youth Jazz Orchestra, which rehearses once a Month at Prudhoe High School, has 26 members aged between 12 – 19 chosen from Schools all over Northumberland, and has been in existence for over 15 years.
Our past achievements include being finalist at the Boosey & Hawkes National Concert Band Festival in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 competing against Big Bands from the whole of Great Britain at the Royal Northern College in Manchester.

In 1998 (March 28th to April 5th) the band completed it’s first international tour of Minneapolis in the USA giving concerts and attending Jazz workshops.
On Jan 15th 2001 we performed in a Drum clinic with Steve Ferrone who has drummed with The Average White Band, George Benson, Tower of Power and a couple of months before his gig with US Bill Clinton!

Perhaps our biggest thrill ever was to be chosen from the whole of the North East to take part in a workshop with members of Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra! Rounding off the year with a performance at Disneyland Paris.

In 2002 the Band continued with the tradition of performing with the top international stars by playing with one of the leading drummers in the world JoJo Mayer who lives in New York and has performed with the likes of Miles Davis.

Summer 2003 NCYJO performed at the Lindesfarne Jazz Festival, the Stonleigh Royal Show, and at the impressive residence of Lord and Lady Hastings, Seaton Deleval Hall.

In 2004 we once again appeared at the National Concert Band Festival at the Royal Northern College Manchester, where out of the countries top 5 big bands we were one of the Bands to receive a Bronze award with the other 2 Bands receiving Silver (there was no Gold, so 2nd in the country isn’t bad!).
In July19th 2006 we performed in Hall One at The Sage Gateshead in the Northumberland Gala Concert.

Director: Dave Hignett. Standard: Grade 7 minimum or equivalent. Repertoire: Traditional Big Band /Modern/ Latin/Jazz Funk and Rock. The emphasis is on the development of improvisation skills. Rehearsals: One day per month plus a 2 day residential weekend course. Experience: It is expected that all members will have experience of playing in school ensembles.
	Gala Concert Sage Gateshead 2006
	*Dates for your diary*
	27th September 2008 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High School 18th October 2008 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High School 17th January 2009 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High School 28th February 2009 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High school 14th March 2009 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High School 4th July 2009 1pm – 4pm Prudhoe High School Residential 22nd & 23rd November 2008 Ridley Hall


Northumberland County Youth Jazz Orchestra, which rehearses once a Month at Prudhoe High School, has 26 members aged between 12 – 19 chosen from Schools all over Northumberland, and has been in existence for over 15 years. Our past achievements include being finalist at the Boosey & Hawkes National Concert Band Festival in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 competing against Big Bands from the whole of Great Britain at the Royal Northern College in Manchester. In 1998 (March 28th to April 5th) the band completed it’s first international tour of Minneapolis in the USA giving concerts and attending Jazz workshops. On Jan 15th 2001 we performed in a Drum clinic with Steve Ferrone who has drummed with The Average White Band, George Benson, Tower of Power and a couple of months before his gig with US Bill Clinton! Perhaps our biggest thrill ever was to be chosen from the whole of the North East to take part in a workshop with members of Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra! Rounding off the year with a performance at Disneyland Paris. In 2002 the Band continued with the tradition of performing with the top international stars by playing with one of the leading drummers in the world JoJo Mayer who lives in New York and has performed with the likes of Miles Davis. Summer 2003 NCYJO performed at the Lindesfarne Jazz Festival, the Stonleigh Royal Show, and at the impressive residence of Lord and Lady Hastings, Seaton Deleval Hall. In 2004 we once again appeared at the National Concert Band Festival at the Royal Northern College Manchester, where out of the countries top 5 big bands we were one of the Bands to receive a Bronze award with the other 2 Bands receiving Silver (there was no Gold, so 2nd in the country isn’t bad!). In July19th 2006 we performed in Hall One at The Sage Gateshead in the Northumberland Gala Concert.


If you would like advice or further information, please contact: LScott@northumberland.gov.uk


Jazz Orchestra