THE BERKSHIRE YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
B.Y.J.O. ~ PENDULUM
Musical Director: Patrick
Kelly
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Patrick Kelly is acknowledged
as one of the leading Jazz educators in the UK and he founded
B.Y.J.O.
- Pendulum
– 30 years ago. Recognised
as one of the top three Jazz
orchestras in the country young
musicians are continually encouraged to take part in Jazz
improvisation, nurturing and sustaining the development of
creative music.
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B.Y.J.O.
gives young musicians unique opportunities, encouraging
and teaching them to compose and orchestrate their own
music and enjoy creative music through the disciplines
of playing, participating and performing in large and
small ensembles. The commission
of new works from top musicians and performing
and recording them with the composers gives the members
unique opportunities and experience at a high level.
- B.Y.J.O.
has been named by its peers as a Prep.
college for young jazz musicians
and provides a foundation
course for all who decide
to make their career in this idiom of music. A remarkably
large proportion of B.Y.J.O. members, having achieved high
standards in this their chosen field and realising degrees
and qualifications at universities, Music Conservatoires
and colleges, have entered into the Music profession as
performers and teachers. B.Y.J.O. is rated extremely high
- throughout its entire history every member who has taken
entrance auditions for musical establishments has not failed
to acquire a place.
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B.Y.J.O. Senior
Orchestra - now Pendulum Jazz Orchestra - is of
a professional standard. There is also a B.Y.J.O. Training
Orchestra. Rehearsals are held regularly throughout
the academic year, always on a Sunday
- to avoid, as much as possible, a clash with any other
musical activities taking place in the area. Rehearsals
and Workshops are scheduled
throughout the terms, according to demand, to which Schools
and members of the Community are invited - when all are
encouraged to take part in Improvisation and Composition.
A series of Workshops is
scheduled at which Guest Jazz Musicians/Composers
perform and work with B.Y.J.O. - involving as many as
10 to 15 Guest musicians throughout the year. |
- B.Y.J.O. / PENDULUM -
with Guest musicians -
will stage concerts throughout the Southern
& South East Arts region
and with each concert preceded by a
Workshop/ Open Rehearsal and,
according to demand, Schools in that particular area are
invited to participate
B.Y.J.O.
commissions the top Jazz musicians in the UK to compose
for them and to rehearse, perform and record
their works with the Orchestra - putting
B.Y.J.O. at the cutting edge of new music by contemporary
composers. The styles and moods are varied covering
a wide area of Jazz. Each performance is a Festival
of Jazz.
As someone who has
performed with this great orchestra many times
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I can verify
the excellent standards of musicianship and training
opportunities |
for
young artists” Jim
Mullen |
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“B.Y.J.O.
is certainly one of the finest youth jazz orchestras in
Great Britain. This high standard
reached during its early stages and has been sustained
throughout all the changes of personnel during its twenty
years or so of existence. Credit for this must go to its
genial Musical Director, Patrick Kelly who inspires the
young musicians with his enthusiasm and love for the music.
They learn executive musical skills and also discover
the joys of Improvisation and creative music-making. In
the process, they also learn the social skills of working
together in a mutually supportive manner.”
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Ian Carr
- Jazz Musician, Author |
Guildhall School
of Music, BBC Broadcaster |
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| “ …
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300 under-12-year-olds attended
and performed in this extremely enjoyable
concert. A fitting finale for all those who had
taken part in what can only be
described as a magnificent Jazz Education project.”
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JAZZ SERVICES
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In addition to the regular
Workshops which take place throughout the year
B.Y.J.O. organises and directs
“one
of the UK’s top Weekend Jazz Courses” |
JAZZ SERVICES |
- now in its 8th year!
 HOW
TO BECOME ONE OF US …
B.Y.J.O. – The Senior Orchestra
[ A in preparation for Pendulum ]
The Senior Orchestra
is for young people aged 14 to 25 years [emulating the age
range of European and American young Jazz orchestras]
The approximate standard is Grade 8. It
is not necessary for instrumentalists to have taken the Grade
exam: young musicians who have no exams but have a natural
aptitude for the idiom are also encouraged to audition.
Instrumentalists are required in all Sections
of the Band:
BRASS: Trumpet, Trombone, French
Horn, Tuba
REEDS:
All Saxes and Flute
RHYTHM: Piano, Bass, Bass Guitar,
Guitar, Drums, Percussion and Vocals
 B.Y.J.O.
– The Training Orchestra [ B in preparation for A ]
The Training Orchestra is for instrumentalists
aged 10 to 15 years and gives the unique opportunity for youngsters
to learn, develop their skills and gain valuable experience
of playing and performing in the Jazz idiom. Members of the
Training Orchestra will make the natural progression into
B.Y.J.O. proper when their musicianship has developed to the
standard of the Senior Orchestra.
The approximate standard is Grade 5. It
is not necessary for instrumentalists to have taken the Grade
exam: young musicians who have no exams but have a natural
aptitude for the idiom are also encouraged to audition.
| The Training Orchestra
is open to ALL INSTRUMENTS
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All Brass • All Saxophones |
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Piano , Bass, Bass Guitar, |
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Guitar & Drums |
with the addition
of - All Strings • |
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, |
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Percussion & VOCALS |
If you would like to audition for B.Y.J.O.
or would like further information
please write to:
B.Y.J.O.
University of Reading,
Bulmershe Court,
Earley,
READING RG6 1HY
or E mail:
info@pendulum-byjo.co.uk
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