NSSO Big Band is a brand-new ensemble for 2023, introducing aspiring young jazz musicians of grade 6 standard upwards to a wide variety of Big Band arrangements.
Led by world renowned saxophonist Colin Skinner, students will be immersed in the Big Band genre, learning the art of Swing, jazz and improvisation with our faculty of top Big Band musicians.
You don’t need experience in Big Band playing to join us on this course, just a love of music of the Swing era and onwards.
Spaces are limited in this fantastic ensemble and are open to
- saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone)
- trumpets
- trombones
- piano
- string bass
- drums
- acoustic jazz guitar
Through sectionals and big band sessions members will develop their reading and improvisation skills throughout the week, as well as having a lot of fun!
Each section of the band will have a resident tutor, a specialist in their own field, and NSSO is proud to be welcoming some of the UK’s top Big Band musicians to join our excellent team of tutors.
The line up for the band offers individual opportunities to alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, trumpet, and trombone players with a rhythm section of piano, acoustic guitar, string bass, and kit/percussion.
Places in the Big Band are very limited and applications are invited from musicians of secondary school age of grade 6+ standard.