NYJO Open Day

Company members will be aware that we are significant sponsors of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

As such, we were invited to their first Open Day, the idea of Liveryman The Hon Richard Lyttleton, on 23 April. Held at the marvellous Rich Mix venue in Bethnal Green, the Open Day was in effect a public manifestation of NYJO’s regular Saturday morning rehearsals.

Sponsors, Friends of NYJO and other supporters had the privilege of sitting in on rehearsals by the NYJO Academy Ensemble, one of the three training bands, as well as NYJO itself, directed by Mark Armstrong.

One could only marvel at the extraordinary musicianship of both bands but particularly the main band as they tackled fiendishly difficult pieces by Tim Garland and Gerard Presencer. Bravo NYJO!

Pastmaster Leslie East
Chairman, Jazz Committee