NYJO Project

Inspirational Performance And Workshops

The Trust recently co-funded with Surrey Arts a week of inspirational performances and workshops by members of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) in state primary and secondary schools in Surrey.  Five musicians and an associate educator from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra NYJO visited 10 schools in Surrey. 

In primary schools, the NYJO musicians gave interactive performances to large groups of children with the aim of introducing them to jazz and to inspire them to take up instruments. In secondary schools, NYJO lead half day workshops for up to 30 young musicians across a wide range of technical and experience levels designed to develop jazz ensemble and improvisation skills. 

By using young NYJO musicians, the project presented children with role models who are able to inspire them by being technically excellent as well as young and cool.

The project lasted a week in the spring of 2022 and was a partnership between the Trust and Surrey Arts, funded on a 50:50 basis by the two partners. It was extremely well received by both teachers and students and we plan to repeat the project in 2023.