Yamaha Education Blog » Yamaha Jazz Experience competition gathers pace

As the closing date (29 January 2010) for the Yamaha Jazz Experience ensemble competition for 11-18s is less than 2 months away as I write we thought we'd test the water with a prize draw for anyone confirming their intention to submit one (or more ensembles). We're delighted to announce that Helena Summerfield, of Manchester Music Service, has won a Yamaha Pocketrak recorder, which will help her record the progress of her ensemble's work towards the competition.

So far we've had around 30 ensembles register, with many more already working hard on their two pieces and getting ready to video and send their efforts to our judges for the shortlisting process which will take place towards the end of February.

We've had entries from state schools, independent schools, local youth groups, venues, arts centres and music services, covering the entire country from Shetland to London and the south-west of England! We already know that teachers and music leaders across the country are coaching their ensembles on their two pieces and I have to say I can't wait to hear and see the videos!

If you work with 11-18s and you aren't already taking part, you should do. Besides the immense musical rewards of working with improvising in an ensemble, the developmental learning that takes place for young people who engage in improvising is enormous. For more details go to the Jazz Experience page on this site or you can find the competition entry information on the Yamaha Education Info website.

Other beneficiaries of Yamaha's support for jazz education are our Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholars, who launched their CD at the 606 Club this week. The CD is the covermount on the December issue of Jazzwise magazine, if you're like to hear their incredible results. It's exactly the kind of thing which will most likely inspire younger musicians, like those taking part in our competition. Pictured here: one of the six scholarship winners, guitarist Alex Munk.