Perform ‘Sleigh Ride’ With Jess Gillam’s Virtual Scratch Orchestra!

Saxophonist Jess Gillam today launched the third Jess Gillam Virtual Scratch Orchestra and has invited singers and instrumentalists of any standard from around the world to perform Sleigh Ride virtually with her.

Sleigh Ride was composed by Leroy Anderson who had the original idea for the piece during a heatwave in July 1946 and finished the work in 1948. The Christmas classic has been recorded by artists including The Ronnettes, Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby.

Perform Sleigh Ride With Jess Gillam’s Virtual Scratch Orchestra!

Jess Gillam has invited singers and instrumentalists to film themselves performing Sleigh Ride using the parts, for complete beginners and advanced musicians, available on her website. Participants are encouraged to don their best festive costumes and share some Christmas joy! The entries will then be combined into a final video with Jess Gillam performing the solo. The deadline for video submissions is Wednesday 18 November at 7pm and the video will be premiered on Jess Gillam’s YouTube channel on Friday 11 December at 6pm.

Jess Gillam’s Virtual Scratch Orchestra’s first two projects were David Bowie’s Where Are We Now? and The Beatles’ Let It Be. Around 2,000 entries were received across the two projects, featuring musicians performing on a huge range of different instruments, from nearly 30 different countries, and with an age range from 6 to 81.

“I am so excited to launch this Christmas Virtual Scratch Orchestra Project!”

Jess Gillam said, “I am so excited to launch this Christmas Virtual Scratch Orchestra Project! At a time where, unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to physically make music together, I hope that this will provide a fun and exciting way to bring people together with the power of music. As Christmas concerts, school plays and gatherings are cancelled and we face what may be a difficult winter, I hope that this will bring smiles and joy to those taking part and to those who watch. Right now, we need hope and light and music making can bring that in abundance!”

Taking part is easy

Join Jess Gillam’s third Virtual Scratch Orchestra. Taking part is easy:

Have a look at the parts available and download the music from Jess Gillam’s website.

Video yourself playing your part playing along to the click track. Submissions can be recorded on a smartphone or video recorder but please use headphones so only you can be heard.

Upload your video and fill in the required details before 7pm GMT on Wednesday 18 November.

Sign up to the mailing list to make sure you see the final results.

About Jess Gillam

Jess Gillam is the first ever saxophonist to be signed to Decca Classics. Last year she released her debut album Rise, featuring a selection of her favourite pieces ranging from Marcello and Shostakovich to David Bowie and Kate Bush, which entered the Official UK Classical Charts at No.1. Jess Gillam is also a TV and Radio presenter. She became the youngest ever presenter for BBC Radio 3, and hosts her own weekly show and podcast This Classical Life, and has also presented five BBC Proms live on television. She has won a Classic BRIT Award, was the first ever saxophonist to reach the final of BBC Young Musician of the Year, and has performed at the prestigious Last Night of the Proms and at the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Awards). Jess Gillam’s second album, TIME, entered the Official Classical Artist Chart at No.1 following its physical release on 25 September 2020. TIME mirrors the arc of energy in a passing day and the constant orbit of our existence.

Join Jess Gillam’s Virtual Scratch Orchestra – find out more here.

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