Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra

(Senior Jazz Band)

A young woman wearing a black polo shirt plays an alto saxophone in front of a microphone, with sheet music in front of her and another person blurred in the background.

  • Wednesdays, 7.15pm – 9.15pm (fortnightly, alternates with Merton Youth Concert Orchestra)

  • Venue: Music Centre, South Wimbledon

  • Musical Directors: Michael Chillingworth and Olivia Murphy

  • For Grade 7+ players of all instruments, membership by invitation/audition.

Merton Youth Jazz Orchestra is a jazz big band, they explore traditional jazz big band repertoire as well as more contemporary pieces and groove/funk tunes. The emphasis is on creating a strong, tight band sound as well as developing sight-reading and aural skills with plenty of opportunities for improvisers to take solos, should they want to.

There are lots of exciting performances opportunities for MYJO throughout the year including the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the Merton Youth Music European Tour.

MYJO meet fortnightly, on alternate weeks to MYCB, so it is possible for pupils to attend both groups.

Included in Ensemble Membership. Click here for fees.

Go back to Ensembles Timetable.

FAQs

Our ensembles are open to 7-19 year olds from Merton (and the surrounding areas) who sing or play an instrument.

With the exception of our choirs (which don’t require any prior experience to join), your child’s instrument, age and ability will help determine which ensembles they can play with. Even if your child has only been having instrumental lessons for a term, it’s likely that there are groups they could join; and they don’t even need to be taught by an MMF tutor to get involved.

Our termly Music Centre membership fee covers multiple ensembles; for example a beginner trumpet player could join Young Voices Choir, Junior Concert Band and Jazz Jumpers giving them maximum musical fun.

If your child doesn’t play an instrument yet, we’ve got that covered too. We offer instrumental lessons in many of Merton’s schools and at our four Music Centres across the borough. Click here for information about lessons.

Progression has been the cornerstone of our approach to music education for over 30 years. While some of our groups are mixed ability, we have beginner, intermediate and advanced ensembles for Guitars and Strings as well as our Concert and Jazz bands. Students who start their musical journey in our beginner ensembles steadily work their way up through the ranks, progressing to our advanced ones.

We firmly believe that Music is for life and for many of our alumni, music will continue to be a meaningful part of their lives beyond MMF; whether they pursue music studies at university, create a band with their friends, join community orchestras, pursue a career as a professional musician or simply play for their own enjoyment.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your rehearsal is about to start.

At the end, you may be expected to help pack away instruments, music stands and chairs.

Those who use sheet music should always bring a pencil to rehearsals.

If your child can’t make a rehearsal please contact the office to let them know.

Black trousers/skirt, black shoes.

Junior and Intermediate ensembles wear blue MMF polo shirts. Senior ensembles wear black MMF polo shirts except Senior Guitar Ensemble who wear their own plain, black long sleeved shirts.

Polo shirts are available from the MMF office. Blue (Junior / Intermediate) = £10 / Black (Senior) = £12

Free Trial Rehearsals

Keep an eye out for our free Come & Play taster sessions, typically scheduled at the start of each term. During these sessions, your child will have the opportunity to join a choir, band, or ensemble rehearsal to see what it’s like. Which group(s) they get to try will depend on their instrument, age and ability.