We are delighted to announce the creation of the Joe Temperley Scholarship, in memory of the great baritone saxophone maestro from Lochgelly who was a central part of Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra's 40 year history. The scholarship came about due to the generosity of past and present players and friends of FYJO donating for a gift for Richard Michael, the band's director, to say thank you for 40 years of dedication and enthusiasm and inspiring literally hundreds of young people. Once the target was quickly met however, people continued to generously donate. What to do with the rest? A scholarship in Joe's name seemed the perfect answer, and will honour his memory and provide meaningful financial assistance to current band members. This may be in the form of help with fees for the Richard Michael Summer Jazz course, music college audition fees, or the cost of some lessons with a high profile jazz musician.
FYJO celebrated their 40th Anniversary at the Lochgelly Centre with a day of workshops to which former players (both those who are now professional musicians and those who chose a slightly more sensible career-path) came back in great number, and culminated in a concert featuring FYJOs 1, 2 and FYJO "The Oldies". Richard was presented with a 40 year old bottle of Glenfarclas and the news of the scholarship, and just about managed to hold it together! It was a truly wonderful and fitting celebration of a diamond in the crown of British jazz and music education.