THE Rotary Club of Redditch are reprising their Christmas fundraising concert, which this year will feature the Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra (WYJO), with singer Rose Johnson.
The concert, which will include jazz standards as well as seasonal classics, is being staged at Trinity High School, Redditch, on Monday, December 5 at 7.30pm.
WYJO, directed by Ian Hattersley, comprises the cream of the county’s young big band players, who have developed their skills through Worcestershire Youth Music Service. Many past members have gone on to pursue professional careers in big bands and musical theatre.
WYJO have performed at an impressive number of events and venues around the region including the Pershore and Upton jazz festivals, Huntingdon Hall, The Swan, No.8 and Artrix theatres, Caldwell Castle, Himley Hall, Symphony Hall Birmingham and big band weekends in Hayling Island and Weston-Super-Mare.
Averaging 10 public performances a year, the band has performed with Bruce Adams, Alan Barnes, Percy Pursglove, John Ruddick MBE, Trevor Emney, Pete Long, Mark Nightingale, and Julian Siegel.
Announcing this latest event, Rotary President Peter Williams said: “Last year’s Big Band Christmas event was a sell-out, raising nearly £3,000 for Rotary charities, including St. Basil’s. This year, proceeds will be going to our chosen local charity, Batchley Support Group, which does so much good work to support families and young people throughout Redditch. At the same time, this event provides a showcase for the young musicians of Worcestershire, including some from Redditch.”
Tickets, £12, go on sale this week, and can be purchased from The Music Shop, Kingfisher Centre, Redditch, or via www.1060.org/redditch
Details of WYJO can be found at: http://www.wyjo.co.uk/ and information about Batchley Support Group can be found at: http://www.batchleysgroup.co.uk/
