Congratulations to our jazz band achieving a silver award!

JAZZQUEST – BIG BANDS AND ENSEMBLES

On August 1st the Chisnallwood Jazz band played at JazzQuest at ARA Music Arts. This is a secondary school event and we were lucky to be able to be part of this as the only Intermediate-school aged band. The event was adjudicated by Glyn MacDonald.

The band played five contrasting pieces and achieved a silver award (meaning they scored over 75%). Huge congratulations to the band on achieving this as the youngest band, and with such a short amount of ensemble time this year due to Covid-19 lockdown! It was great to see most of our students taking solos as well. Thanks to ARA for the opportunity and for the great feedback.

It was also inspiring to see ex-Chisnallwood names appear 31 times over the weekend as part of high school jazz bands. The biggest representations were 11 in the SBHS band, and 17 times in the three Burnside high Jazz Bands. We were especially proud to see the Burnside High musicians take out Gold and best Big band and Best Jazz Ensemble. There were also 5 ex-Chisnallwood students in gold winning Papanui Big band, and one each in Middleton Grange and Cashmere.

JAZZQUEST – COMBOS

Next up is the JazzQuest COMBO competition which is happening this week! Each band plays a set of music which is then workshopped by the tutors. We have Alex Krakowiak, Maike Loof, Hiromu Crosado, Bayden Keka and Caitlin Murray playing three charts today at ARA!!

The gala and awards event will live-streamed on Friday August 21st 7:30pm at https://www.facebook.com/AraMusicArts/ Each band gets to play one of their pieces at this event (just live streamed, with no live audience due to Covid level 2).

UPCOMING CONCERT

Our two jazz bands will be performing at a Chisnallwood music celebration at Fat Eddies on September 13th 2pm.

By Judith Bell