Young digital composers invited to apply for new training programme

Young creatives aged 16 to 25 can now apply to the Animate Composer Programme, a part foundation course, part professional development module for young digital composers who may not have received training elsewhere.

A joint endeavour from National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and the Orpheus Trust, the programme will welcome two cohorts - ages 16-18 and ages 18-25 - who will benefit from sessions with industry professionals, experienced teachers, and mentors. 

Composers enrolled on the course will follow a curriculum which includes writing for live rhythm section instruments in a variety of genres, understanding and writing for the common instrumental groupings, orchestration and arrangement from six-piece jazz groups up to big band and orchestra, listening and musical analysis, and use of common software tools. 

The scheme is open to all, but applications from black and ethnically diverse candidates are particularly welcome, as part of NYJO’s drive to address the imbalance within the UK music industry.

The application document released by NYJO says: ‘To help support diverse talent develop new skills and build bridges into new modes of expression, NYJO will host a new initiative in collaboration with the Orpheus Trust that could see candidates enter music colleges, conservatoires and/or the professional world with the self-confidence to express themselves fully – reinvigorating the UK music scene in the process.’

Candidates are invited to apply in any format, such as recordings or notation, and they should also share something about themselves, their ideas, their influences, their experiences, and why they would benefit from the scheme. Eighteen to 25-year-olds will begin tuition in September 2021, and 16- to 18-year-olds will start in January 2022.

Applications for the 18-25 Cohort are open now and close on 31 August at 6pm, while applications for the 16-18 Cohort open on 22 November and close on 24 December at 6pm.

NYJO’s statement also acknowledges its revitalised approach to diversity after ‘reflection’ in 2020 and intended ‘action’ in 2021: ‘As an entity that seeks to champion a black art-form, we collectively acknowledged that it is of paramount importance that we address the issues raised by our black communities. 

‘We also acknowledge that a major flaw in our previous approach – both educationally and artistically – is that, in many instances, we have not manufactured activities that uphold jazz music’s social and cultural intent.’

More information about the Animate Composer Programme can be found here.  

www.nyjo.org.uk