The Junior Jazz course was established in 2003 to help to develop young students of school age with a strong interest in jazz.  The course is run under the auspices of Junior Academy.

Full brochure (PDF format) 

Jazz application form (PDF format)

The course
The course places young musicians into small ensembles where most of their learning and performing is done. Work is largely practical, focusing on improvisation, study of harmonic and rhythmic elements and playing in a variety of styles. The importance of the ‘ear/instrument relationship’ in jazz performance is strongly emphasised and listening across genres is encouraged throughout the course. The course also includes the arrangement of standard jazz tunes for ensembles. An appreciation of the key events and musicians who have shaped the development of jazz in the past is given due emphasis.
We welcome applications from the following:

Piano, bass, drums/percussion, guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone (singers and other instrumentalists should contact us before applying).

The Junior Jazz course also provides the invaluable opportunity to meet and make music with like-minded young players. Although the course cannot guarantee subsequent entrance to the undergraduate Jazz course at the Academy, an aim of the provision is to prepare students thoroughly for further specialist study at Higher Education level and graduates of the Junior Jazz course have had an almost 100% success rate of gaining entry to one of the UK Conservatoire jazz courses. There are close links with the Senior Academy Jazz Department (director Gerard Presencer) and senior students regularly work with the Junior Jazz course. 

Tuition and performance
Teaching sessions take place on Saturdays at the Royal Academy of Music, from either 10am – 1pm or 2pm – 5pm.  Performances are given regularly at the Academy as part of the course, but also at other notable venues. Since 2006 the summer term concerts have been at Soho Pizza Express with Kenny Wheeler and then Ronnie Scott’s with John Parricelli and Gerard Presencer. On 28th June 2009 the Ronnie Scott’s concert featured special guests Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler. Workshops and masterclasses have been led by some of the country’s leading performers and educators including Kenny Wheeler (patron of the Junior Jazz course), Stan Sulzmann, Pete Churchill, Tim Garland, Gwilym Simcock, Nikki Iles and Paul Clarvis. Every year a leading ensemble spends a day working with students. These have included The Perfect Houseplants, Neon Trio and Partisans. Through the senior department many international artists are also available to Junior Jazz and students have participated in masterclasses with Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano. The progress, involvement and commitment of all students is monitored throughout the course.

Applications:
Application should be made on the enclosed application form, with a deadline of 27th March 2010 for entry the following September 2010. There is a non-refundable application/audition fee of £22.

Auditions take place in the form of an ensemble workshop to observe how well the players respond to the types of learning processes they would experience on the course, and to give them a chance to see in more detail the type of teaching on the course. Offers of places on the course will be made following the auditions on Sunday 25th April 2010.

Term dates are the same as for Junior Academy.

Fees and conditions:
Fees for the academic year 2010/11 will be £405 per term (£1,215pa), and there will be a modest percentage increase for 2011/12.

A limited amount of bursary assistance is available for students who can demonstrate financial need.

The course is nominally a two-year programme and places on the Junior Jazz course are offered subject to continuing satisfactory progress and commitment. The student’s best interests are the priority and they will be placed in the most appropriate ensemble accordingly. A full term of notice in writing is required for withdrawal from the course or a term’s fees are payable in lieu of notice.

There are three terms of eleven teaching weeks, following the normal pattern of school terms, with a half-term Saturday break in the middle of each term.