About the groups

The Cheshire Youth Music for Life Jazz Orchestra, directed by Jo McCallum, rehearses from 12:30 – 15:30 and is suitable for young musicians around Grade 5 and above. It was set up in 2002, originally in partnership with Cheshire County Council, with the aim to offer the opportunity for some of our regions best young musicians to develop their interest and skills in playing jazz. Over the years, hundreds of young musicians have benefitted from it, with many former members going on to careers in music or in teaching music. The atmosphere in the band has always been fun but focussed on playing great music to a very exciting standard. If you are interested in joining, please follow the link below.

The band only meets once a month (usually 10 rehearsals over a year) on Saturdays from 12:30 – 15:30. For more information and dates, please click here.

Members come from right across Cheshire and beyond – currently, one member travels from Bradford because he says there is nothing like this band in his area!

The Cheshire Youth Music for Life Jazz Band, directed by Andy Morel, allows younger players to experience the excitement of playing this kind of music at an earlier stage in their musical development. For many, this will be their “apprenticeship” before going on to join the Jazz Orchestra. The band is open to players around grade 2 or higher. This band also rehearses monthly on a Saturday, but the rehearsal time is shorter than for the more advanced group starting at 09:30 and finishing at 12:00. If you are interested in joining, please follow the link below.

What is the cost of membership?

The group is run in partnership with Edsential and, in common with all other Edsential music groups, members makes an annual membership charge. Students in full time further or higher education are not currently charged, and there is significant support available for families facing hardship. Full details will be sent should you register an interest.

How do we join?

Just follow the link below or phone 01244 728922 to register an interest. We will then contact you.

Sign up here

Interested in joining?

We’d love to have you join us. Just complete the simple form here and we will get back to you.

Group Registration Form

Praise for Music for Life

Mr and Mrs Hughes, Macclesfield

We have been extremely pleased with the service you have provided over the past 9 years. Your admin has been excellent and you have always been helpful and polite. Aidan started at All Hallows with Rosie and Linda in 2010. Rosie has been a fantastic teacher for all 3 of our children, enabling them each to develop their piano playing in the different directions they have chosen: jazz/improvisation, ARSM Diploma, and a non-exam route playing for enjoyment whilst still improving technical ability. They have thoroughly enjoyed their lessons, practised hard and made amazing progress. Credit is due to Rosie for treating them each as individuals and being flexible and creative enough to develop their own interests and coach them through the dreaded aural tests!

Linda was also fantastic teaching Aidan clarinet and enabled him to achieve the ARSM Diploma. With her encouragement Aidan now also regularly plays saxophone and is heavily in music at University: chamber, jazz and musicals. Our children also really enjoyed the jazz workshops you ran at All Hallows on a couple of occasions.

Many thanks to you all, and we hope you are able to continue to provide your excellent service to many more youngsters.

Dr Sims, Upton, Wirral

In 2 short years, my daughter has progressed to now starting work on grade 4 flute. We are absolutely delighted with this and so very grateful to Mrs Oade who has inspired and encouraged Rebekah so much. The standard of her teaching has been second to none and Rebekah has consistently undertaken her practice with no prompting. We are now re-locating and can only hope that Rebekah’s new teacher is anywhere near as excellent as Mrs Oade.

Thank you to ‘Music for Life’. Rebekah was schooled in the private sector for prep and had music lessons arranged with individual instrument teachers. The system was nowhere near as efficient and required significantly more monitoring and intervention on my part. Please do keep doing what you’re doing, I’m sure it is changing so many young persons lives for the better!

Mrs Batchelor, Chester

I just wanted to say thank you to his tutors and MfL for inspiring my son and being brilliant, encouraging teachers. It has been a great experience for him. He is autistic and we have been amazed how he has progressed. It has given him confidence and been a calming influence for him.

Mrs Lavelle, Altrincham

Your emphasis on inclusion and excellence in seemingly equal measure is really remarkable. The performances were much more joyful and committed than anything we have seen before from people of that age and experience. Your choice of music, the type of arranging and the personalities of the people you employ clearly works very well and is something of a special formula.

Mrs Sadler, Crewe

As someone who has always taken a sympathetic and supportive interest in our daughter (whom you know to be severely /profoundly deaf ) we thought you would want to know that she has won a National competition for deaf musicians! Her prize includes a 2 day Masterclass, taught by specialists of national repute and then she is playing at the Birmingham Rep Theatre. Well done Mrs Turner and Music For Life!

Cheshire Youth Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Band