LYJRO
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1) Africa Project - LYJRO members will be meeting two representatives from Mayville Primary School, Durban at their next fundraising event on 8th February. Mayville is one of the partner schools in which LYJRO will be conducting instrumental workshops during their September 2010 visit.
Several LYJRO members will be forming a working party to discuss and develop a teaching programme for workshops at the Ekhaya Centre and nearby Mzuvele High School. These community based teaching strategies will enable LYJRO members to qualify for Arts Awards Status.
2) Mingus Project - This is a joint project between LYJRO and Ralph Thorsby High School. The theme is the life and music of Charles Mingus, portrayed through music, dance, drama and artwork. The performance will take place at the Headingley Festival on the 8th May 2010. For further details visit the Headingley Festival Website.
Lyjro
The LYJRO Big Band has been in existence since 1991 and was established by Education Leeds to cater for ever increasing interest in jazz from young people.
LYJRO's aim is to offer young people of Leeds the opportunity to experience through performance, the spectrum of jazz related styles ranging from swing to 'hip hop' and funk. The authority also established a training band which introduces the young people to the first steps in improvisation and jazz ensemble work.
Over the years LYJRO has organised workshops featuring eminent jazz musicians including Scott Stroman and Dave O'Higgins. LYJRO have also organised projects involving several ensembles - the most recent being the 'Global Warning' project in 2005.
LYJRO propose to return to South Africa in September 2010 to perform in the Durban Festival and undertake teaching workshops in the Ekaya Arts Centre and local schools. To make this possible, LYJRO have developed a programme of extensive fundraising. We would welcome any new ideas or approaches to fundraising from members or parents as we need to do all we can to raise the funds.
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Preparations are well under way for the 2010 cultural exchange with our partners in South Africa. Contact has been made with our partners at the EKHAYA Arts Centre in South Africa regarding the coordination of activities in September 2010. Several schools in Leeds with cultural links to Durban will also be involved in our collaborative project. LYJRO members have been busy fundraising from back packing and busking to performing in Jazz festivals around Leeds.
Several members of the band are initiating their own fundraising ideas. So far we have bike riding, sponsored walks and Bungy Jumping!
Big thanks go to all the fundraisers and also the parents who support this process by dedicating a lot of free time to LYJRO.
If you feel you can help........get in touch!