Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival 2012
Wednesday 1 - Saturday 4 August 2012.
The date has been set for the 10th anniversary of the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival....entry forms now available!
Details will be available soon with regards to the 2012 Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival but in the meantime enjoy reading about the successful 2011 festival and the very talented winners list.
In 2011 the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival enjoyed yet another year of fantastic jazz from Colleges and Schools from all over the South Island.
Gala Concert
The Gala Concert took place at the Marlborough Boys' College Hall. The concert included performances by the All Star Band - which was made up of the outstanding students chosen from the various school bands by Rodger Fox and the judges. The winning schools also performed and the public got to see the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra in action. This was a one night opportunity to see a fantastic selection of great quality jazz right here in Marlborough.
About the Festival
The Festival is a competition open to all South Island Secondary Schools where students come together to compete in different categories including overall festival winner. Throughout the week bands took part in tutorial Masterclasses run by the acclaimed Rodger Fox. The bands also had the opportunity to play at public venues around Marlborough and of course there was the finale Gala Concert on Saturday night. It's a wonderful opportunity for schools in the South Island to come together to learn and develop their musical skills, perform to live audiences and to compete in a quality musical competition - a great experience for these students.
As well as the competition element, the school bands performed at various public venues. This gives them experience performing in a public arena and increases their confidence in doing so. They also performed at local primary schools – helping to educate youngsters and to encourage them to try playing an instrument themselves.
2011 Trophy & Award Winners - Congratulations!
The Mark Lefting Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Trombone Player
Isaac McCluskey - Linwood College
The Massey University Conservatorium of Music Award for Most Outstanding Musician on a Non- Traditional Jazz Instrument
Madeline Burton - Nelson College for Girls'
The Gibson Crosse Award for Most Outstanding Keyboard Player
Nick Dow - Christ's College
The Kevin Moseley Award for Most Outstanding Trumpet Player
Jacob Murray - St Andrew's College
The New Zealand Army Band Award for Most Accomplished Rhythm Section Performer
Alister Winter - Linwood College
The Massey University Conservatorium of Music Award for Most Outstanding Guitarists
Ally Doe - St Andrew's College
The Massey University Conservatorium of Music Award for Most Outstanding Bassist
Gina Hart - Rangi Ruru Girls' School
The Sandy Beverley Memorial Award for Best Sax Soloist
Jimmy Rainey - St Andrew's College
Marlborough 4 Fun Award for Best Soloist
Isaac McCluskey - Linwood College
The Massey University Conservatorium of Music Award for Most Outstanding Drummer
Jesse Bennett - Papanui High School
New Zealand School of Music Award for Most Outstanding Big Big Band Drummer
Jennifer Kim - Rangi Ruru Girls' School
The Jan & Malcolm Aitken Award for Most Outstanding Musician
Sam Jones - Burnside High School
The Interislander Award for Best Original Composition - New award this year
Sam Jones - Burnside High School with 'Libby'
Robin Randall Award for Most Outstanding Vocalist
Dominique James-Donaphy - Nelson College for Girls'
Marlborough 4 Fun Trophy for Adjudicators Choice
Wakatipu High School
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band Award for Most Promising Band
Nayland College
Marlborough 4 Fun Award for Runner Up Combo
Linwood College
Port Marlborough Trophy for Best Combo
Christ's College
Marlborough 4 Fun Award for Runner Up Big Band
Linwood College
Port Marlborough Trophy for Best Big Band
Nelson College for Girls'
Peter Bargh Trophy for Overall Festival Winner
Christ's College Combo
Burnside High School Combo - Gold
Christchurch Boys' High School Combo - Bronze
Christ's College Big Band - Gold
Christ's College Combo - Gold
Darfield High School Big Band - Bronze
Linwood College Big Band - Gold
Linwood College Combo - Gold
Marlborough Boys' College Big Band - Bronze
Marlborough Girls' College Big Band - Silver
Motueka High School Big Band - Silver
Nayland College Combo - Bronze
Nelson College for Girls' Big Band - Gold
Papanui High School Big Band - Silver
Papanui High School Combo - Silver
Rangi Ruru Girls' School Big Band - Gold
St Andrew's College Big Band - Gold
St Andrew's College Combo - Silver
St Margaret's College Big Band - Bronze
Wakatipu High School Big Band - Silver
Wakatipu High School Combo - Bronze
Free Public Performances
There were public performances at various venues around the Marlborough region during the week and they provided the community with the opportunity to hear some of the country's up-and-coming talent and also assisted to keep venues busier during the quieter winter period!
New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra
We were delighted that Rodger Fox and the New Zealand School of Music run the master classes and judge the competitions. The New Zealand School of Music Big Band, under the musical direction of New Zealand's best known jazz and big band leader Rodger Fox is one of the most exciting additions to the New Zealand big band scene. Featuring some of the country's best up - and - coming jazz talent drawn from the cream of the New Zealand School of Music.
The band has appeared in concert with major artists such as Mike Nock, Jon Papenbrook, trombonist Jim Pugh, (performed with Steely Dan and the great Woody Herman Big Band) trumpeter Clay Jenkins, Mr Georgie Fame, International saxophone artist Bob Sheppard and the Sinatra "Lives" concert series.
A big thank you to our Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival sponsors - Cannonball, More FM, Interislander and the Marlborough Express.
