Be inspired. Be empowered. Be creative!
Dates
Applications will go live on 18th December 2023 – sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear when you can apply!
Residential Course’s Timetable:
Friday 9th August 2024: Arrival 1pm. Sessions: 2-5pm & 7-9pm
Saturday 10th August 2024: Sessions: 10am-1pm 2-5pm & 7-9pm
Sunday 11th August 2024: Sessions: 10am-1pm & 2-4pm then 4pm performance @ Benenden’s Recital Hall
Application Process
On 18th December 2023 applications will open for 14-18 year olds (19 if taking a gap year)
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Candidates are asked to prepare three tunes comprising one of the ballads and one of the four medium tempo swing tunes selected from the following list, followed by a piece of their own choice which can be unaccompanied.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Candidates are asked to give a live performance either with an accompanist or singing to a backing track (which they can take from the backing tracks that accompany the repertoire list on NYJC’s website)
Applicants are not required to improvise (scat!) at their audition. They can if they want to – but paraphrasing the melody and communicating the lyric is sufficient at this stage. We’re really keen to work with all enthusiastic vocalists who are looking to broaden their skillset and take their singing to the next level.
Cost
The Jazz Vocal Camp registration fee is £320*.
*Financial Help
We don’t want anyone to miss out because they cannot afford the fees. So NYJC offers means-tested bursaries for those needing financial help which can include covering the enrolment fee and transport costs to the course.
“This project offers a unique opportunity for young jazz vocalists, who don’t get the same level of ensemble opportunity as their instrumental peers in regional big bands” NYJC’s Executive Artistic Director, Issie Barratt
“There’s something essential about this music!” Vocal Project Musical Director, Pete Churchill
See NYJC’s promo video of August 2022’s inaugural summer vocal project to get the flavour of what we do
See NYJC’s full vocal concert comprising 4 ensemble and 12 solo pieces
Who’s Involved?
Musical Director
The inspirational award winning Pete Churchill (London Vocal Project, Pete Churchill trio, Avalon Trio, West End MD of 5 guys named Moe, MD for Mark Murphy, Conductor of Kenny Wheeler Big Band, Professor of Jazz Composition @ Royal Academy of Music, Jazz singing @ Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles & Kodaly Summer School @ University of Queensland, Brisbane; Parliamentary Jazz Award for Education 2007)
NYJC
The National Youth Jazz Collective helps young, aspiring Jazz talents to develop their skills, passion and experience as musicians. We offer and support music education to increase the ability of young musicians to play by ear in small groups, to learn, improvise, compose, arrange and lead bands.
Skills Covered
Through singing in an ensemble we will address some essential skills needed for solo singing: Phrasing, paraphrasing, intonation, articulation and groove.
Other skills covered will be:
- Learning by ear
- Developing a good memory for music and lyrics.
- Developing an understanding of form
- Rhythmic security in an improvising environment.
- Improvisation and understanding of jazz harmony and modes.
Hear Pete Churchill’s inspiring work with the London Vocal Project (formed in 2008):
The Location
Benenden School in Kent
Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls in Kent, England. It is located in Hemsted Park at Benenden in the Kent countryside, between Cranbrook and Tenterden.
Benenden opened a brand new School Hall and state-of-the-art Music School in 2022. Designed by the multi award-winning Guy Hollaway Architects, the new School Hall will offer state-of-the-art acoustics and will give audiences a truly amazing performance experience.
The Music School also features a smaller Recital Hall, with capacity for an audience of around 150 people, offering a performance space in a more intimate environment, perfect for rehearsals and smaller performances such as the nightly jam sessions and tutors concert. The Music School has more than 20 practice rooms and classrooms, as well as a smaller performance room, IT suite and recording and performance booths.
NYJC really got me into jazz. I probably wouldn’t be anywhere near what I’m doing today without what I’ve got from here. It’s the best tuition you can get”
Alex Ridout
BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2016
The tutors are great musicians — no one judges your playing — so if you want to find others like you to play with, go for it.. .”
Timur Pak
Summer School 2016
I met a lot of lovely new people and got great insights into the jazz scene”
Rosie Frater-Taylor
Summer School 2016
I’d done a lot of classical before, but here we all learned to blend and fit in with the jazz.”
Mishaal Mehmood
Summer School 2016
Fantastic atmosphere— the jamming in the evenings is so much fun, so inclusive, everyone just gets into it.”
William Pearce
Summer School 2016
NYJC has established itself as the primary means through which young, like-minded jazz players can meet to play and learn together. Their summer school and feeder regional programmes are an invaluable opportunity to experience the highest level of jazz education while forging significant and sometimes life-long musical peer partnerships.”
Nick Smart
Head of Jazz at RAM
Amazing. I’ve just loved playing with so many really enthusiastic people who have a love of jazz”
Sam Nichols
Summer School 2016
