Jazz
Jazz education at St Mary's Music School has been part of school life for almost thirty years and plays an important role in the evolution of every student's musical development. All pupils have the opportunity to attend improvisation sessions on a monthly basis, with a range of groups catering for different ages and levels of experience.
Video: Boatman's Hook is a composition by senior pupil (now alumnus) Neil McCracken and is performed by Neil on keyboard and The Jazz Combo.
If you are a first study jazz pupil then the aim is that you will become a fluent improviser and reach a level suitable to attain a place to study jazz at conservatoire.
For all other pupils, studying jazz allows you to understand the benefit of being able to improvise. This is done through regular Jazz Days throughout the year, co-ordinated by prize-winning bassist and alumnus, Andrew Robb. He is supported by experienced tutors Hilary Michael, Rob Hall and Chick Lyall who help deliver specialist aural classes, performance ensembles and Jazz Piano.
Next steps
Jazz students have progressed to leading courses at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Birmingham Conservatoire and Berklee College of Music.
Location
The city of Edinburgh also provides students with a wealth of opportunities to see major artists in local venues, such as the Jazz Bar, Queen’s Hall and Usher Hall. Ensembles like the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra perform regularly, and the Jazz Bar has live jazz every day. which allows students to expand their ambitions and repertoire by hearing international jazz performers live onstage.
