Workshops

The Grand Union Youth Orchestra runs monthly masterclasses/workshops for its members as well as open introductory workshops during school holidays and half-terms for new recruits. It is recommended that you attend an introductory workshop before attending our monthly sessions.

Contact Nadia Nervo on 0208 981 1551 or nadia@grandunion.org.uk to find out more.

This autumn Hackney Museum is running an exhibition Black British Music in Hackney. and our whole programme aims to reflect and explore this theme, described on the Events page. Older and/or more experienced young musicians may also be interested in the open workshops listed there..

PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2018
download the GUYO flyer

Sunday October 6th, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass exploring Jamaican music past and present, led by internationally renowned trumpeter Kevin Robinson (bio here) (part of BBMH)

Tuesday October 23rd, 1.00 - 5.00pm - Spotlight, Langdon Park E14 6GN
Thursday October 25th, 1.00 - 5.00pm - Poplar Union, Cotall Street E14 6TL
Trading Roots - open workshops in the music of African and the Caribbean with Grand Union musicians, celebrating Black History Month. An opportunity also to play with Grand Union at Poplar Union on Saturday 27th (rehearsal 3.00pm).

Sunday November 4th, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass led by Ghanaian master-drummer Abass Dodoo (part of BBMH)

Sunday December 2nd, 12.00 - 6.00pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Rehearsal and soundcheck for Winter Concert, Trading Roots, 7.00pm

As a taster of what to expect, here are clips from recent events at Rich Mix:

GUYO musicians summon up the Yoruba orissa Eleggua with West African 12/8 drumming, and Ogun with Northeast Brazilian 12/8 rhythms and his traditional Candomble chant :

PROGRAMME SPRING/SUMMER 2018
(supported by Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation)

This flyer summarises the programme for the first half of 2018.

Sunday March 4th, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass led by Columbian percussionist Emeris Solis
Born on the Pacific Coast of Columbia, Emeris is a much sought-after exponent of the colourful songs and rhythms of that region, including currulao and bunde. Find out more about Emeris from his website here.

Sunday April 8th, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass led by gu zheng virtuoso Zhu Xiao Meng.
Born and brought up in Shanghai, Zhu is one of the world's finest exponents of the Chinese harp. She has appeared in many Grand Union projects over the years, and her repertoire ranges from ancient dramatic showpieces to poignant folk music.

Sunday May 6th, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass led by Carnatic violinist Jyotsna Srikanth.
Jyotsna hails from Bangalore. Trained as an Indian classical musician, she is an extraordinary improviser, and her workshops give an insight into the ragas of the South Indian tradition.

Sunday May 20th, 12.00pm - 7.30pm  'Big Band in a Day'
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4HY
Young musicians working with Tony Haynes, Claude Deppa and Yousuf Ali Khan to produce a support set for the featured band. 

Sunday June 3rd, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Masterclass led by steel pan virtuoso Daniel Louis.
Born in Hackney, Daniel's family comes from St Lucia. He is therefore both heir to the Caribbean steel band tradition, and expert in other British Black music styles - and a great jazz player.

Sunday July 1st, 10.00am - 1.30pm
Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Rehearsal preparing material for What the River Brings at St John on Bethnal Green, Sunday July 14th (see performance page for details).

Monday July 30th to Thursday August 2nd - Summer School
Writtle University College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RR
Fifth annual GUO residential Summer School, details here

The Summer School sessions and monthly GUYO masterclasses/workshops are generally led by different musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra, They focus on various styles and techniques of world music and jazz including Indian classical ragas, African songs and chants, township music, call and response techniques, Latin-American rhythms, Eastern European and gypsy music (to name but a few!) - and improvisation is always a key ingredient.

For details of upcoming GUYO events, visit our Youth Orchestra Performance page or our general Events page.