Brentwood student secures National Youth Jazz Orchestra spot

Published:
06:00 20 February 2022

A student at Brentwood School has been given a place as a singer in a national youth jazz band.

Murray Peat, 15, will hone his skills with the vocal team at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) academy, where he will learn everything from microphone technique and repertoire to reading music and playing music. interpretation of jazz.

The Year 11 student will also have the opportunity to sing with the Academy Big Band and work in a jazz vocal ensemble.

Murray said: “When I found out I had secured a place I was very happy and also very excited because on the discovery day I had so much fun.

“I really enjoyed the atmosphere and just made music there and met other amazing jazz musicians.”

Murray started singing when he was young, but said it wasn’t until he became a student at Brentwood in Year 7 that he realized how much he loved music, which he attributes to the fact to be exposed to “incredible opportunities”.

He added: “In the long term, I want to be a jazz singer.

“I want to develop my theoretical knowledge and my experience by playing in a band – my biggest goal is to play with Ronnie Scott and I want to play with the Jools Holland Big Band.”

Director of Music and Performing Arts at Brentwood School, Mr Florain Cooper, said: ‘Murray has been an accomplished music professional since he joined the school five years ago and he has never It’s no surprise to see his hard work and talent recognized so significantly nationally. stage.

“Murray is blessed with a wonderful voice, magical performance ability and a true affinity for delivering text to an audience. I look forward to hearing Murray perform with NYJO in the near future.