Robert Juritz
Robert JuritzRobert Juritz, now based in
London, was born in Cape Town. He was awarded several gold diplomas as a
child playing the piano and bassoon in the local Eisteddfods. He went on to
study music at the University of Cape Town
and graduated with a B.Mus in 1978, with a first class pass in performance.
During his University studies, Robert Juritz was selected for the South African
National Youth Orchestra. Whilst on a European tour, he was selected to play for
the International Youth Orchestra that performed at the Albert Hall under the
direction of Claudio Abado.
He played with the Cape Town
Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and St George’s
Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. He also worked with several theatre companies as a
musical director, composing incidental music the productions. Robert Juritz also performed with the leading
Cape Town jazz musicians from 1974 till 1980.
He left South Africa in
1980, to teach music in Namibia, at the Windhoek Conservatoire of Music.
Robert Juritz came to the UK in
1981 and co-founded the musical theatre company ‘Skirted Issue’ with Michele
Maxwell, Sarah Mc Nair and Leonie Hofmeyr. They went on to produce
a hit show on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival called 'Boogie Woogie Bubble and
Squeak. The show subsequently transferred
to the West End and toured to packed houses in Holland and Belgium.
Robert Juritz has performed
and recorded in the UK with many different groups, covering an extremely broad
range of musical styles. This work has included contemporary music, classical
music, commercial studio work, music for theatre, TV, live music for the classic
silent films and animation, along with jazz, playing in clubs and doing benefit
events. Better known groups include
Chris
McGregor’s ‘Brotherhood of
Breath’, whose last recording was with saxophonist Archie Shepp. The recording of “Music for the Third Policeman” by Django
Bates with ‘The Powder Room Collapse Orchestra’ was voted as one of the best
five jazz albums of 1990, by both the Guardian and Q magazine.
Robert Juritz is a
successful composer. He has composed a Jazz Concerto for soloist and chamber
orchestra, commissioned by GLA and based on themes from the pianist Mervyn Africa,
who performed the solo improvised part, when it was premiered at the Bloomsbury
Theatre in a crossover concert by ‘OPUS 20’, conducted by Scott Stroman. He was
subsequently been commissioned by Shikisha Arts to compose an hour long
contemporary ballet for dancers and 10 musicians based on Southern African
mythology.
He has also composed music
for his own contemporary music group. The music has strong jazz and ethnic
musical influences. It has performed at the Riverside Studios, the Vortex and the 100 Club.
Robert Juritz has continued
with his education in the UK. He studied composition with Carey Blyton at the Guildhall, bassoon privately with Martin Gatt
(LSO) and conducting with Lawrence Leonard at Morley College.
He took part in a Music
Workshop Skills Course as Goldsmiths’
College and gained experience in leading music workshops at institutions
such as Camden Hostel for Homeless Women and at St Christopher’s Hospice.
He subsequently went on to
do a PGCE in Music. His teaching and composing projects were extremely
successful projects in both primary and secondary schools The teaching practise
schools asked him back so that they could use his pieces for their concerts. His
dissertation was based on new technology, computers and composing. It examined
the influences of new technology and what effect it has had on the creative,
educational and social aspects of school music making.
His secondary school teaching experience in London ranges from challenging inner city comprehensive schools to high achieving international schools. He is fully conversant with the National Curriculum, OCR and IB examination boards. He has also entered and accompanied students for the ABRSM examinations.
Robert Juritz has had experience in
designing new schemes of work, writing new policies on assessment and writing
departmental action plans. He has raised standards in the extra curricular music
and has co-produced a string of musicals including Toad of Toadhall, Sweeney
Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Oliver. He has
also directed many successful Christmas Concerts and Summer Stage Concerts.
His ‘School & the
Community Work’ has involved taking the school band to do Christmas
concerts for the Hillingdon Hospital . He has also managed many visiting work
experience students from the local comprehensive schools, providing them with
an insight into the education profession.
Robert Juritz left the American Community School to spend more time with his young and growing family. He subsequently enjoyed several months of supply teaching, giving him the opportunity to teach in many different schools and reflect on different working environments.
In January 2003, he returned to full time teaching as acting Head of Music at Aylwin Girls' School in Southwark. He then went on to teach music at Sedgehill School in Beckenham and Forest Gate School in Newham. He has subsequently broadened his horizons by going into SEN teaching and teaching GCSE Maths at pupil referal unit. He is now teaching music and maths in Tower Hamlets.
The last performance with legendary Brotherhood of Breath at Ronnie Scott's on Sun 27 March 05 was a sell out and very well reviewed.
More recent recordings have been with the Tito Lopez Combo and the band Jive Nation with Louis Ribeiro.