The Music Workshop Company Blog

Each month the Music Workshop Company publishes two blogs. One blog, written by the MWC team addresses a key issue in Music Education or gives information about a particular genre or period of music. The other blog is written by a guest writer, highlighting good practice or key events in Music Education. We hope you enjoy reading the blogs.

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To contribute as a guest writer please email Maria@music-workshop.co.uk

Posts tagged “JAZZ”

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Celebrating Charlie Parker

Posted on 17th October 2025 at 16:34

A close-up of Charlie Parker playing saxophone

It’s 80 years since legendary Jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker led a recording of what was labelled ‘the greatest Jazz session ever’. On 26th November 1945, Charlie “Bird” Parker recorded a series of tracks including ‘Now’s The Time’ with Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Curley Russell and Max Roach.

In this month’s blog, we explore the fascinating life and music of the man who helped change the face of Jazz, and was credited with developing the sound of Bebop.

(Image by William P. Gottlieb)

Concerts for Schools 2025

Posted on 12th August 2025 at 15:42

Recently we were asked about concerts and other trips linked to music that would be suitable for school visits. Such events can be a fantastic opportunity for students, opening up new ways of experiencing music and inspiring would-be young musicians to pursue their passions.

Many orchestras across the country offer concerts for schools as well as other activities to support young people’s music education. We’ve collated a selection of events across the country for the 2025/26 academic year. While our list is not exhaustive, it includes a range of events on offer from the some of the UK’s major musical institutions.

Information correct at August 2025.

Ella Fitzgerald

Posted on 17th April 2025 at 12:49

Ella Fitzgerald has been named "First Lady of Song" and "Queen of Jazz".

Her renditions of jazz classics, with 2,000 recorded songs, are viewed by many as definitive interpretations and she won 14 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Despite a challenging childhood, Fitzgerald went on to become one of the most famous jazz singers in the world.

The Model Music Curriculum lists two of her songs - “Cry Me a River” and “You Took Advantage of Me” - as recommended listening. Here, we delve into her life and her impressive career.

Image: Carl Van Vechten - https://collections.library.yale.edu/catalog/2018461

NYJO Learning: King's Cross Summer Project

Posted on 23rd December 2024 at 18:00

Here at the Music Workshop Company, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to make music, regardless of their age or background. But too often, for many, those opportunities can be hard to find - which is why programmes that open up music to wider audiences are so important.

NYJO (also known as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) exists to do just this, and we were delighted to hear about their successful 2024 King's Cross Summer Project for 14-18-year-olds. This month Beth Ismay, NYJO's Learning Programmes Manager, returns to the blog to tell us about the project and the impact it made for the young people involved.

Jazz in our community

Posted on 31st January 2024 at 15:26

When the Watford Jazz Junction was founded in 2020, its festival put inclusion and mental wellbeing at its heart. (It’s one reason we at the Music Workshop Company didn’t hesitate when we were asked to be involved, and we’re delighted to be back this year delivering a special workshop for young people aged 4-12).

Each year, Watford Jazz Junction works to ensure its events represent the various communities it serves, offering people of all backgrounds a way to connect and express themselves. With the organisers busy preparing a diverse programme for 2024, Chris Newstead, the festival’s Director and Founder, took time out to tell us more about the ethos behind the event.

(Image: participants at the Music Workshop Company's 2023 workshop at Watford Jazz Junction.)

Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue

Posted on 16th January 2024 at 12:04

This month our blog explores the life and work of George Gershwin. Famous as a songwriter with his brother, Ira, Gershwin mixed European Classical music traditions with Blues and Jazz to create a sound that is particularly linked to his birth city of New York.

Despite a relatively short life, Gershwin's musical output was huge, including musicals, an opera, orchestral music and film scores.

The Model Music Curriculum suggests listening to two of his most famous songs “I Got Rhythm” and “Summertime” as well as “Rhapsody in Blue”.

This blog explores “Rhapsody in Blue” and suggests activities linked to creating arrangements.

Image credit: Carl Van Vechten, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons