Jazz

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Performer as part of the studio orchestra

About Jazz at Guildhall

Trumpet | Trombone | Tuba | Saxophone | Flute | Clarinet | Voice | Guitar | Piano | Bass | Drums | Percussion | Bowed-strings (Violin, Viola, Cello) | Composition & Arranging

Note: The Jazz Composition and Arranging pathway is currently undergoing review and is not available for application for the Academic Year 2025/26. 

Now in its fourth decade, the Jazz Department at Guildhall School is among the most renowned and established of its kind.

The foundations of our course are:

  • The origins and traditions of jazz
  • An appreciation of jazz as an evolving art-form
  • A recognition of your need to earn a living as a musician in the real world.

Our aims are:

  • To equip you with the skills for a professional career in music
  • To encourage your development as a creative musician
  • To give you long-lasting connections with musicians in a collaborative environment
  • To broaden your awareness of music and approaches to music. 

Guildhall School is well situated to give easy access to central and east London’s thriving and eclectic jazz scene with jam sessions and a huge number of gig opportunities immediately on your doorstep.

Watch the video

Find out more about Jazz training at Guildhall from our students and staff in the video below.

Jazz Opportunities in London

Jazz contact details

Corinna Sanett, Jazz Department Manager
Tel: 020 7382 7180
jazz@gsmd.ac.uk

Undergraduate study

Postgraduate study

Performance

There are a large number of varied opportunities to perform on stage at Guildhall, in our state-of-the-art Milton Court performance spaces and at local London jazz venues. These opportunities include: performing in the Guildhall Jazz Festival in association with EFG London Jazz Festival, in one of the big band ensembles – Guildhall Jazz Orchestra and Guildhall Big Band, in one of three vocal ensembles – Guildhall Jazz Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Choir, in Trish Clowes’ Improvisers’ Workshop ensemble, and as part of small combos led by Jazz Department tutors.

 

Department Highlights and Alumni

Inclusion and Outreach

Guildhall School is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, assisted through our Access and Participation programme and Guildhall Young Artists, Guildhall School's network of centres that provides inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people.

The Jazz Department actively supports these programmes with staff, recent graduates and students contributing to external outreach projects, and by hosting events such as Girls in Jazz featuring high-profile female jazz musicians leading practical workshops for female instrumentalists and vocalists aged 11-18.