NYJO Open Day

On Saturday 6 October, we opened our doors to the NYJO Academy for our annual Open Day. Visitors spent the morning exploring the home of our weekly Saturday rehearsals at Morpeth School in Bethnal Green (aided through a cold and rainy Saturday morning with warming tea, coffee and pastries), and sat in to hear all our Academy bands in action in their usual rehearsal environment.

(Clockwise from top left): Rehearsals being led by NYJO Academy Jazz Ensemble MD Gemma Buckenham, NYJO Artistic Director Mark Armstrong,
NYJO Academy Vocal Class Deputy MD Emilia Martensson, and NYJO London MD Phil Meadows.

Guests spent the morning chatting to NYJO board, staff and musicians to learn more about NYJO’s recent and upcoming work, before having the opportunity to sit in on the rehearsals of the NYJO Academy Jazz Ensemble, NYJO London Advanced, NYJO Academy Vocal Class and NYJO’s main band over the course of the morning.

Musicians from the NYJO Academy Jazz Ensemble, NYJO London Advanced group, NYJO Academy Vocal Class, and NYJO’s main band working hard in their rehearsals

The morning ended with a mini performance by the main band, which included a sneak preview of Nikki Iles’ brand new composition for NYJO ahead of its world premiere in Middlesbrough on 20 October, conducted by Nikki herself!

(From left to right): Speech by Academy musician Sarah Wald, Nikki Iles conducting NYJO in her new composition, and speech by NYJO London MD Phil Meadows

Thanks to everyone who came along, and to our young musicians for allowing us into your Saturday rehearsals!

All photos courtesy of Daniel Devlin at SUSAK PRESS