A reminder of our ethos (creativity, collaboration and lifelong participation) and why groups matter, plus Salsa Group is recruiting with Joel Knee.
Dear YMM Community
Please see below for this week's updates.
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🎼 The YMM Ethos and Why Groups Matter
At YMM, being a musician is about much more than playing the right notes. Alongside strong technical foundations, we place real emphasis on developing creative and collaborative skills.
What that looks like depends on the music. For jazz musicians, it might mean learning to improvise and respond to each other in the moment. For classical musicians, it might be exploring the context and meaning behind a piece, and how to communicate that to an audience. In INNOVATE, our creative programme, students compose music together from scratch.
Excellence, and so much more
Excellence is very much on offer at YMM, and we're lucky to have some of the best professional musicians in London as part of the YMM family. But over and above that, our aim is lifelong engagement and participation in music, for everyone from four to 94!
Why groups matter
Our groups are an essential part of this. Playing with others builds confidence, sharpens listening, and develops the collaborative skills that every musician needs, whatever style they play. And above all, it's a lot of fun!
With 23 ensembles, including 6 adult groups, there really is something for every age and ability. If you or your child aren't yet in a group, take a look at all our groups or email us at admin@youngmusicmakers.co.uk and we'll help you find the right fit.
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🎺 Salsa Group is Recruiting!
Our Salsa Group is looking for new members, and everyone is welcome! The group brings together horn, rhythm, string, flute and vocal players to dive into salsa charts, syncopation and stagecraft, building the rhythmic precision and ensemble feel that salsa demands while performing lively, danceable music together.
A group for everyone
You don't need any prior knowledge of salsa to join. Part of the joy of the group is discovering the style together: the syncopation, the feel and the energy. Some ensemble experience is helpful, and some experience of improvising is useful but not essential. The group is open to musicians aged 11 and above, adults very much included!
There's a place for a wide range of instruments, including:
- Horns: trumpet, trombone and saxophone
- Rhythm section: piano, bass, guitar, drum kit, congas and timbales
- Strings and flutes
- Voice
Whatever you play, if you're curious, we'd love to hear from you.
Calling all drummers!
Joel is especially keen to welcome several drummers into the group, and there's plenty of space for them. Drummers will rotate between drum kit and Cuban percussion, developing instrumental skills on instruments like congas and timbales, along with a valuable groove and rhythmic vocabulary that will strengthen their playing in any style.
Led by Joel Knee
The group is led by Joel Knee, a highly versatile trombonist, educator and producer renowned for his expertise in jazz and Latin music. A first-class graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Joel also spent a year studying Jazz and Cuban music at the Frost School of Music in Miami.
He has performed with Hermeto Pascoal at the Barbican and the James Taylor Quartet at Alexandra Palace, and has played at Glastonbury, Ronnie Scott's and the EFG London Jazz Festival. He plays for London's 'Cuban Sinatra' Beny Luis and tours with the Latin supergroup Timba Britanica, and he leads workshops with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and teaches for the National Youth Jazz Collective.
It's a wonderful chance to learn authentic Latin music from someone who plays it at the highest level.
Salsa Group runs on Saturdays from 14:00 to 15:00, and like every YMM group it performs at the end-of-term concert.
Would you like to join Salsa Group? Just email us at admin@youngmusicmakers.co.uk and we'll get you started.
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🎻 Café Concerts Are Back Weekly!
There's no Café Concert this Saturday, but the good news is that from Saturday 17 October we're back to weekly sharings every Saturday from 10:45 to 11:00. It's a lovely, relaxed way to hear what our students have been working on, and a great chance for performers to build their confidence in front of a friendly audience.
Teachers will be putting students forward to perform, but the concerts are an open forum, so if you'd like to play, don't hesitate to email us at admin@youngmusicmakers.co.uk. Our audiences are always extremely friendly and supportive!
And of course, the café is open every week with Lucy's delicious homemade cakes and bakes, the ever-popular Cheesy Spinach Egg Bites, and freshly brewed coffee. Pull up a chair, grab a treat and enjoy the music. We can't wait to see you there!
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We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!
Thanks and best wishes,
John
John K Miles MMus
https://www.johnkmiles.co.uk
Musical Director, YMM