Barnsley Youth Jazz Association
The Barnsley Youth Jazz Association is a non-profit making music service based in the former mining village of Darfield near Barnsley.
The association began over 30 years ago founded by the late Holin Hammerton, a local music teacher who wanted to reach out and involve as many children as possible in music of all kinds. Since those early days hundreds of children have played in the bands and many of those early students have become teachers and accomplished musicians in their own right.
Our ethos is “Music For All” and we offer anyone the chance to experience the magic of music and the fellowship of being part of a band. We loan pupils instruments, provide tuition at a significantly discounted rate and actively encourage them to achieve formally recognised music qualifications whilst having some fun along the way.
The Barnsley Youth Jazz Association currently has around 150 members from age 8 to 48 including some of the original members who have been with us for over 30 years. We currently have three ‘Dance / Big Bands’ and a four part harmony choir catering for a wide range of abilities and members’ preferences. All of these groups are free for music students to participate in.
To help fund our operations, we hold regular concerts at local venues and perform at bookings for private functions and weddings etc. In addition to the music service that we provide, the Association also supports other community activities and regularly perform for local charities and good causes such as The British Legion, The Rotherham Hospice and local churches to name a few.
If you have a child that is interested in playing a musical instrument, we now offer a 'Starter Pack'. This will allow your child to 'try out' a musical instrument for just £25. This includes the loan of an instrument, music and other consumables, and tuition (5 individual 30 minute lessons).
For full details, please follow this link to download the starter pack.
If you would like more information please contact Loraine Cawood on 07989 861 755 or if you would like to book one of our bands please contact our Booking Secretary Andy Bramall on 07519 593 091.