The summer school course for local young people at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is now under the leadership of former BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, Xhosa Cole.

is delighted to announce that its B:Music Summer School returns in August, as it looks forward to opening its doors once again to young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas. This year’s heavily subsidised, non-residential course will run from Monday 5 to Friday 9 August for young people aged between 11 and 19 and takes place at the world-renowned Symphony Hall in the heart of Birmingham.

The B:Music Summer School is a week-long creative music-making programme which offers a comprehensive and broad-ranging programme. During the week, participants will develop skills in improvisation, harmony, and ensemble performance through the exploration of jazz and beyond, culminating in a final showcase for family and friends at the end of the week. The summer school is suitable for those who aspire to further their music studies as well as those who simply wish to learn new skills in an atmosphere which is fun, supportive and encouraging.

This year’s 57 participants will explore influential jazz artists, learning key songs written by the artist, as well as modern songs and genres that have been influenced by their sound today. With the support of over 20 tutors, they are given the opportunity to connect the musical dots of jazz, its musical journey, and how it has evolved. Participants will also take part in additional workshops that explore different areas of music, for example samba, Indian classical percussion, jazz improvisation, synths and sampling, stage and sound tech, and singing.

For the first time, the B:Music Summer School is led this year by the world-renowned saxophonist and flautist Xhosa Cole, an expert in helping young musicians build their skills in a way that is best suited to each individual. He is supported by an experienced group of tutors, music educators and specialist performers from the Birmingham and UK music scene, such as Landing Mané, Robbie Moore, and Helen Bentley.

Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, Handsworth born Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous community arts programmes in Birmingham. Having first played tenor saxophone at Ladywood Community Music School, he is now one of a long line of successful Birmingham saxophonists. Since playing in Holyhead School’s jazz band he decided to pursue music and joined B:Music’s Jazz Ensemble, the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the Birmingham Music Service.

A previous B:Music Summer School participant himself, Xhosa has performed twice at the BBC Proms, completed a 22 date UK tour, and has also received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Newcomer in 2019 and Jazz FM’s Breakthrough Act of the Year in 2020. He has since worked tirelessly to support and uplift the vibrant music community in Birmingham and has been a long-term collaborator with B:Music.

B:Music Summer School Creative Director, Xhosa Cole said, “The B:Music Summer School is one of the organisation’s flagship talent development programmes which gives many young musicians their first foray into the world of jazz, and also into Birmingham’s iconic Symphony Hall. This week-long course is open to all young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas aged 11 to 19 years old and is delivered by some of the country’s top jazz musicians and educators. The Summer School has seen some incredible musicians come through its doors over the years, and I’m certain that there are many more still to come.

When I was 15 years old, I was a participant in the Summer School; later becoming a chaperone, and then a support tutor. It is wonderful to be coming back this year as the Creative Director. I have a long history with B:Music; it is a big part of me musically. It feels great to now be able to reciprocate that and keep the ball rolling into the future.

When it comes to music, I am the opposite of self-taught. I’ve done as much music and jazz education as it is possible to do in this country, and that has instilled a strong ethos in me to teach. I’m bringing with me a group of 20 tutors from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own authentic self to the summer school. Everyone’s contribution will be valued, and I know from experience that the teachers are going to be shaped by the young musicians just as much as the young musicians will be shaped by the teachers.”

The B:Music Summer School is very kindly supported by Dumbreck Charity, the Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust, the Saintbury Trust, the Michael Marsh Charitable Trust, and the Thompson Family Charitable Trust, all supporting and inspiring the next generation of the city’s musical talent.