Best Big Band in Auckland - Great KBB Success
Congratulations again to the talented and proud students and staff of our Music Department!
Lynfield College's Big Band under the direction of Mr Paul Norman was awarded a Gold medal for the third consecutive year, and received the Most Outstanding Performance by a Jazz Band award at the KBB Gala Concert on Saturday.
The Gala Concert is the final event of the annual KBB SEcondary Schools' Musical Festival where the best ensembles from the previous two days' competition perform for the top awards.
Last week was the 29th KBB Music Festival, held at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, and featured 130 ensembles from the greater Auckland area and farther north. Lynfield College had our Orchestra, Concert Band and Big Band participating.
Winning Gold and the Most Outstanding Performance award came after some fantastic playing by the rhythm section, outstanding solos by a number of students and excellent vocals. The Lynfield College Big Band is made up of 23 students, from Year 9 through to Year 13 and competed against 40 other Big Bands to take out these prestigious awards.
The Big Band also won these awards in 2010. Their professionally produced album "Take the 'A' Train" will be released at the Jazz and Soul Concert to be held next Wednesday September 5 at 7pm in the Lynfield College Hall. An evening you cannot afford to miss!
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Musical High Notes
Michael Howell (Year13) has been selected for the second year running for the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra.
In Wellington in August Michael will spend over a week rehearsing and touring under the direction of well -known NZ trombonist Roger Fox, and Americans alto saxophonist Dick Oates and drummer Steve Houghton.
Matariki Magic
Two of our Year 9 Pacific Island students, Mele Hala and Elizabeth Fa’amamafa, have had their song, ‘Eyes of God’ chosen as a Top 10 finalist in the Play It Strange “Matariki” song writing competition, 2012. ‘Matariki’ is the Maori New Year, and the song honours the importance of connections – with each other, and the land, sea and sky.
With the support of Jennifer Leauga, Head of Maori, and Lisa Norman, Head of Music, the girls wrote and recorded their song- which includes some Maori text- in very quick time to meet the deadline of May 11. Within a few days, they were notified of their success and, just as quickly, were off to professionally record the song at Studio 203 in Symonds Street.
 For the recording they enlisted the musical and moral support of Olivia Riggs, PaeaTaufa and Mareko Haleti. |
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A compact disc of the Top 10 songs will be produced for distribution, and the songs will go to Tama Waipara for his choice of the top song. The winning performers will sing the chosen song at the Tiramarama concert on July 21st.
Musicians Shine at Tauranga Jazz Festival
On Easter Friday 14 students and 3 staff travelled to Tauranga for the National Youth Jazz Festival. On Friday night we attended an amazing concert featuring the Rodger Fox Wellington Jazz Orchestra with two top American Jazz artists: Eric Marienthal (Lead Alto Sax with Gordon Goodwin) and Grammy Award winner Kurt Elling (Vocalist).
On Saturday the students (Yr 10 - 13) competed in the Youth Compeition with both groups performing brilliantly. The Lynfield Jazz Combo directed by Mr Paul Norman won a GOLD award and the Lynfield Jazz Band directed by Mr Matthew Flockton won a SILVER award.
Our next goal is the KBB Music Festival in August where the Big Band (20 piece Jazz Band) has won a GOLD award for the last two years.
And also for your listening pleasure - the Jazz album which was recorded late last year, featuring the Big Band and Jazz Combo, should be available during Term 2. This will coincide with a CD release concert details of which will be well advertised closer to the time.