Who We Are

Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra is the place to learn jazz in Devon!

DYJO teaches young people from across the whole of Devon including Exeter, North Devon, South Devon, Torbay and Dartmoor to play and perform a wide variety of Jazz.

Where We Are

Gathering days are usually once per month on Saturdays for the first half of the academic year.

We meet at Clyst Vale Community College from 10.00am to 4.30pm.

The DYJO Season

The Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra comprises the best of Devon’s young jazz musicians and is split into two separate bands. DYJO2, under the direction of Brian Moore, is the younger of the two bands, and is focused on the essentials of big band playing: ensemble skills in swing and many other grooves, and the fundamentals of jazz soloing. DYJO1, with Graham Hutton, is the senior band, and aims to stretch the players’ skills in all directions in a wide range of repertoire, and to raise them to a standard of playing comparable with the best youth big bands in the country.

Fees & Finance

DYJO believes that financial circumstances alone should never form a barrier, either to membership of DYJO, or to full participation in DYJO events. Financial assistance is available please contact us for further information.

How To Join

The most important thing is your enthusiasm to learn and a willingness to ‘have a go’

DYJO is currently comprised of two bands, DYJO1 and DYJO2, the latter being the junior of the two bands and the normal entry point for new members to DYJO. Entry to DYJO1 is normally only available to players who have played in DYJO2 for at least one season. Entry to DYJO is by informal audition within one of the bands (normally DYJO2) at one of our Gathering Days in Exeter.

The DYJO Association

The Devon Youth Jazz Orchestras Association (previously known as The Friends of DYJO) is now responsible for the management and organisation of DYJO. This role was previously undertaken by Devon County Council but owing to budget changes all the County ensembles are now run independently by committees of parents and supporters. As of July 2012 DYJOA is now a registered charity.