Youth Jazz Festival

A huge congratulations to our twelve Year 9-13 students who took part in the national Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim last week as part of the Southland Youth Jazz Band. The students gained a Silver award from the judges for their contest performance and Year 12 student Brianna Loan was selected for the All Stars Band on trumpet. The All Stars Band is selected by the judges and comprises of the top players from across all the bands who perform throughout the week. The All Stars worked together with the judges to learn two pieces which they performed as part of the finale gala concert.

As well as their contest performance, the JHC students completed performances across Blenheim at vineyards, restaurants, function centres, schools, and the Marlborough ASB Theatre. They also got to complete a workshop with Rodger Fox and Dave Wilson – two of NZs top jazz musicians. Congratulations to the students on their outstanding performances and conduct throughout the contest.
A huge thank you to parent Bev Chesney for accompanying the band to the festival and helping with driving the students to all their events. Also, a massive thank you to the NZ Navy Band who took time out of their busy touring schedule to work with the students at the JHC Music Department to workshop their pieces in the week before Southern Jam.

Jorja Glassey (Year 12) – Vocals
Tiana Turnbull (Year 11) – 1st Alto Saxophone
Jotaro Matsuo (Year 9) – 2nd Alto Saxophone
Millie McKenzie (Year 12) – 1st Tenor Saxophone
Alex Munro (Year 12) – Baritone Saxophone
Florence McKenzie (Year 13) – 1st Trumpet
Brianna Loan (Year 12) – 2nd Trumpet
John Chesney (Year 10) – 3rd Trumpet
Blake Humphrey (Year 12) – Guitar
James Brown (Year 11) – Bass Guitar
Tessa Wells (Year 13) – Piano/Keyboard
Finn Cruickshank (Year 13) – Drums