Spring Jazz Course 7th - 10th April 2026
Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2RX
Demand for places is strong - apply now!
“The effort you have lavished on the course is enormously appreciated...I have learnt a huge amount"
"The tutors are fantastic"
"Well organised and enjoyed playing and learnt lots"
"As, always, the tutors were superb”
“Lovely supportive atmosphere...another fantastic, really enjoyable course”
"The level of tutoring is outstanding"
“The whole week was excellent. Each session was equally enjoyable and I learned something from each one”
"I had a fantastic time and really can't express how much it meant to me".
Do you play an instrument or sing and want to get to grips with jazz? Or are you an intermediate or advanced player who wants to up your game?
Our popular and highly acclaimed four-day course for intermediate and advanced players and singers takes place in the beautiful Suffolk countryside setting of the Royal Hospital School overlooking the Stour Estuary, using their purpose built, modern and well-equiped music school and other venues on site. Taught by our established team of top quality, hand-picked tutors. We consistently receive satisfaction ratings of more than 95%. Minimum age 16. No maximum age.
We provide an enjoyable and high quality experience by keeping the tutor/participant ratio at about 1:7 and by fostering a creative, respectful and friendly atmosphere to bring out the best in your playing or singing. Our courses have always had strong, positive feedback.
You have a choice of either a non-residential package (which includes lunch) or a residential package with full board and accomodation in a single room with ensuite bathroom.
The course includes:
- Lots of playing and singing jazz in small and large groups
- Four days tuition with different tutors
- Tutors in Focus sessions exploring different musical topics
- Carousel sessions where you work in different groups on new music
- Pop-up bands and choral groups
- Jazz harmony, rhythm and theory
- Improvisation
- Public performances
- Tutors' concert
- Optional evening jam sessions on site in our own jazz club with licensed bar "The Treble Clef".
Tutors: George Double (Drums and Music Director), Ned Bennett (Saxophone & Associate Music Director), Alan Barnes (Saxophone & Clarinet), Paul Higgs (Trumpet), Chris Ingham (Keyboard & Piano), Joanna Eden (Vocals), Chris Allard (Guitar), Simon Thorpe (Bass). Read more about our tutors.
The course runs 9.45 – 5.00 each day plus the optional evening jam sessions.See the course programme below.
The course uses core music which includes guidance on harmony and improvisation plus you are also issued with additional pieces selected by each tutor which are chosen to meet the needs of the band you are in. Sheet music and a listening playlist are issued in advance, so you have time to become familiar with the course material.
We also offer two optional online study sessions of one and half hours each to examine the core music led by tutor Ned Bennett and which are held on two evenings shortly before the course at an additional cost of £35. These kickstart your improvisation over the core music. We'll issue more details about the online sessions nearer the time to everyone who signs up for the course.
We provide free tea and coffee and lunches and if you are non-residential, you also have the option of an evening meal for £10. Ample, free car parking on site and it has good disability access (some short movement between buildings is required).
Fee: Non-residential: £399. Residential: £569. We can accept payments by instalments – please ask. Sign up using the application form on this website. Give us a call on 07798 783574 or email neiljazzsax@outlook.com if you would like to discuss anything.
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