Education Programme
Musicians from Live Music Now will deliver the
magic of jazz to over 1200 young people, with a
programme of fun and funky workshops in 8 local
schools ahead of this year’s City of Derry Jazz
Festival.
Between March and May, pupils at post primary
schools across Derry and Strabane will take part in
‘Jazz labs’ – workshop-style performances in their
school hall, delivered by renowned jazz pianist John
Leighton and singer / saxophonist Meilana Gillard as
well as acclaimed local singer Victoria Geelan and
pianist Neil Burns.
All four musicians are familiar faces on the Northern
Irish jazz scene and these jazz lab workshops are
interactive and fun, including familiar jazz standards,
as a perfect introduction to jazz for young people.
In an exciting first, pupils who are part of established
School Jazz Bands at Lumen Christi and Lisneal
College will have an exclusive opportunity to work
closely with acclaimed jazz musicians through
a 4 week series of masterclasses. Professional
musicians will work with the young jazz musicians,
developing their skills, and exploring improvisation
techniques. These will culminate in a ‘mini jazz
festival in school’ with performances from students
and Live Music Now musicians.
