Worcestershire's Premier Youth Jazz Ensemble
Worcestershire's Premier Youth Jazz Ensemble
WYJO have performed at an impressive number of events and venues around the region including the Pershore and Upton jazz festivals, Huntingdon Hall, The Swan, the No.8 and Artrix theatres, Caldwell Castle, Himley Hall and big band weekends in Hayling Island and Weston-Super-Mare. Averaging 10 public performances a year throughout the county and further afield, the band has performed with Bruce Adams, Trevor Emney, Pete Long, Mark Nightingale, and Julian Siegel.
2009 saw WYJO touring abroad - playing 5 gigs in 4 days in Holland, Germany and Belgium - as well as recording the music for an episode of a Dutch TV show "Dip & Dap" and not forgetting the long awaited WYJO CD, "The Horn Ultimatum". WYJO2 was started in 2008 to feed the main WYJO and continues to go from strength to strength.
Where & when does WYJO & WYJO2 rehearse?
Both WYJO and WYJO2 rehearse at the Royal British Legion Club, Salwarpe Road, Droitwich on Tuesday evenings in term time. WYJO rehearses from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (this may occasionally be extended to 9:45 pm with occasional extra rehearsals if required). WYJO2 (the intermediate WYJO) rehearses from 6:00 pm to 7:20 pm.
What's the minimum standard for players?
In order to join WYJO, you need to play at least Grade 6* or above and should be prepared to have a go at improvising. If you're not yet at this level, you may be eligible to join WYJO2, which is the intermediate big band. The standard for WYJO2 is between grade 4* and 6*. All players in WYJO2 are expected to try improvising. Auditions are normally held in the summer and are arranged through Worcestershire Youth Music (WYM). You are welcome to sit in on a rehearsal first at any time as a way of deciding whether WYJO/WYJO2 suits you. Do contact Ian to find out more or to arrange to come along! *All grades levels are approximate*
Does WYJO perform Concerts and Gigs?
Yes! Public performance is very important to WYJO and WYJO2 and ensures real commitment from players to develop a professional standard of performance. The Gigs page on WYJO's website has details of all gigs.
Who can I contact to ask about WYJO?
Ian Hattersley - 07949 591902 or email address via website
What kind of music does WYJO play?
WYJO and WYJO2 plays a varied repertoire of music from jazz standards to arrangements of pop tunes.
Do I have to come every session?
Yes and No. No - because occasionally other things get in the way and we are understanding when there are reasonable circumstances that prevent you from attending (you must contact the Musical Director in advance). However, it's mostly a Yes because significant commitment to WYJO and WYJO2 is expected, including playing at gigs where you have agreed in advance. If you can't make a gig, please say so at the time of the offer, not a few days before! During the examinations period, WYJO and WYJO2 rehearsals continue. If you have an exam the following day, we understand if you request to miss that rehearsal, but this should be no more than two consecutive weeks otherwise the continuity is lost and it's not fair on others in the band.
What instruments are in WYJO and do you have vocalists?
WYJO has a classic 'Big Band' instrumentation:
alto, tenor and baritone saxophone - sometimes doubling on clarinet and/or flute
trumpet
tenor and bass trombone
electric guitar
piano
double bass/bass guitar
drum kit and percussion
Vocalists are welcome for styles that include singing jazz and Big Band standards. Please contact Ian to find out more.
Membership is open to players aged between 10 and 25.
WYJO - 7.30 - 9.30 WYJO2 - 6.00 - 7.20 Welcome all new players
Our next gig is on Sunday 5th September in the bandstand, Priory Park, Malvern (behind the Theatres), WR14 3DS. We perform from 2.30 - 4.30. Parking is available across the road in the 'Splash' car park. Please come and support WYJO in this beautiful setting and hopefully enjoy the sunshine at the end of the British summer!!!
If you can't make the rehearsal, don't forget to let Ian know
Mrs X - 15/10/2006 - Hayling Island "I didn't think I was going to like that, but I really enjoyed it".
Bruce Adams - 08/09/2006 - Pershore Jazz Festival "Truly inspirational"
Mark Nightingale - 12/07/2006 - Swan Theatre "Working with WYJO was a tremendously positive experience. The band pulled out all the stops and really rose to the occasion for our concert at the Swan Theatre. WYJO is a credit to the county, and a great asset to current and future generations of young musicians in Worcestershire."
Lorraine Beasley - 12/07/2006 - Swan Theatre "I was very impressed, the performance was so professional"
Jill Hopkins, Worcester News - 01/03/2006 - Huntingdon Hall "Playing big band jazz with enthusiasm and considerable expertise, the two dozen or so youthful musicians of WYJO under the direction of Ian Hatersley brought a breath of of fresh air to the lunchtime concert of Worcester Concert Club"
WYJO & WYJO2 both rehearse at the Droitwich British Legion Club from 6-7:20pm and 7.30-9pm on Tuesdays, and most of us share lifts.
To raise funds, WYJO has an online affiliate shop. If you plan to buy online from HMV, Amazon, Ebay, M&S and more, please visit their sites by clicking our affiliate link rather than typing their site addresses directly. You pay the same price, but we get a cut for recommending you! Visit shop
WYJO couldn't exist without its more-than-dedicated band leader Ian Hattersley, and assistant Percy Pursglove. The following companies have also provided us with all sorts of help and support.