Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra and Suffolk Youth Brass Band

Suffolk County Music Service (SCMS) runs a bespoke programme for Suffolk’s finest young musicians. These high-level County Music Groups offer exciting performance opportunities throughout the year, performing at prestigious venues.

Ensembles are coached by SCMS’s professional team of tutors and guest artists from our partner professional organisations, which in the 2022-23 season included Suffolk based Big Band 'Horn Factory' and the 'East of England Co-op Brass Band'.

Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra (SYJO): for trumpet players, trombonists, saxophonists, drummers & percussionists, guitarists, a keyboard/piano player and a bassist (electric or acoustic). Grade 5 standard and upwards (or a musician who is confident in learning by ear and improvisation). This season SYJO will work on pieces by the incredible Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band; WDR Big Band, the 8-Bit Big Band and the Bob Curnow Big Band to name a few!
Suffolk Youth Brass Band (SYBB): for musicians playing a Brass instrument or drummers/percussionists. Grade 4 standard and upwards.

Why join?

Perform in prestigious concert venues. Last season our Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra got to attend the Ipswich Jazz and Blues Festival as guests of the big band 'Horn Factory.
The aspiration is for Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra and Suffolk Youth Brass Band to start touring as soon as viable.
Work with, and learn from professional musicians.
Take your instrumental skills to the very highest levels.
Learn, play and perform a varied and exciting programme of music.
Develop your ensemble performance skills.
Play with like-minded musicians and friends as part of a brilliant team!
Experience a progressive pathway in your personal, musical and broader educational development and gather excellent experience for your CV/ College/University application statements.

More information

Open the menu below to find out how to apply and read more information about these County Music Groups.

When are the rehearsal dates?

SYJO & SYBB Rehearsal and Concert Dates

There are 12 rehearsal dates across the 2023-24 season as detailed below.

Sunday 22 October 2023 - daytime rehearsal
Saturday 11 November 2023 - daytime rehearsal
Sunday 12 November 2023 - daytime rehearsal
Saturday 25 November 2023 - daytime rehearsal
Saturday 17 February 2024 - daytime rehearsal
Sunday 18 February 2024 - daytime rehearsal
Monday 19 February 2024 - daytime rehearsal
Tuesday 20 February 2024 - daytime rehearsal and early evening concert
Saturday 11 May 2024 - daytime rehearsal
Sunday 12 May 2024 - daytime rehearsal
Saturday 6 July 2024 - daytime rehearsal and workshop with professional musicians
Sunday 7 July 2024 - daytime rehearsal and workshop with professional musicians

How much will this cost?

There are 3 different price brackets available for joining one of these groups - please see below for more information.

£400 per year for new members who are not a member of one of our Suffolk Youth Music weekly groups or our County Music Groups (SYO, SYWB or SYS) programme

£100 non-refundable deposit
4 payments of £75.00

£200 per year for any current member of our Suffolk Youth Music programme

£100 non-refundable deposit
4 payments of £25.00

£100 per year for any current member of our County Music Groups programme

£100 non-refundable deposit (this also covers the cost of the whole programme so you have nothing further to pay)

Included in these prices are:-

12 rehearsal days
All associated performances
Music hire for the season
Professional, specialist coaching and staffing

A fees schedule will be emailed to you on receipt of your application detailing how to make payments.

Members withdrawing part way through the season remain liable for the advertised full cost of the programme.

The price you pay is much less than the real cost for each ensemble as these fees are heavily subsidised by Suffolk County Music Service.

How do I apply? - Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra

We will require a completed application and personal information form for you and this can be found at the link below.

Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra Personal Information Form 23-24

Where the number of applicants far exceeds the number of places available, we may need to audition you.

How do I apply? - Suffolk Youth Brass Band

We will require a completed application and personal information form for you and this can be found at the link below.

Suffolk Youth Brass Band Personal Information Form 23-24

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