IOW Jazz are very pleased to announce that plans have been formalized with Platform One in Newport to launch a brand new IOW Jazz Youth Orchestra. One of the remits for the IOW Jazz charity is to promote the education of young people in jazz music and this new project will be led by Platform One, with IOW Jazz fundraising events providing aspects of support at different points.
Platform One is an independent, not-for-profits youth arts organization, specializing in the development and delivery of arts initiatives and training opportunities for young people on the Isle of Wight. The lead tutor will be sax supreme Gary Plumley, who has led some of our Jazz Workshops in Ventnor and has an international reputation for his playing. The orchestra is open to young musicians aged 14-24 who can read music and are of grade 8 standard, although their technique is more important than their qualifications. Auditions are to be held at Platform One (48A Dodnor Lane, Newport) on Saturday 4th November, 1-4pm. There are between 15 and 20 places available, and all manner of instruments are welcomed, including brass, keys, percussion, woodwind and strings.
This exciting new project is aimed at young island musicians who are serious about their music and who wish to learn new skills and experience the fun of playing jazz in a large ensemble. If it succeeds it may lead to tours, and could well provide aspiring musicians with an opportunity to perform in front of a much larger audience.
We are proud to support this great new initiative, one that will further the cause of live jazz music on the Isle of Wight, and wish all prospective orchestra members luck with their auditions.