Jazz Band Lunchtime Concert

The Senior School Jazz Band left the Hurst campus on a mild November day to give a concert in neighbouring Burgess Hill. There follows an account of the event by one of the Jazz Band members:

The Jazz Band members set off in a minibus at 12.45 pm for their lunchtime performance at the Burgess Hill United Reform Church. Eating our sandwiches on route while Mr Matthews drove us there gave us just enough time to rush in and  set up our equipment in what Mr Sutton informed us was a record time for the Hurst Jazz Band!  However, we were ready, by the skin of our teeth, to start the concert on time.

Our opening piece, The Woodchopper's Ball, was an awakening and upbeat song to start off the concert. It certainly grabbed the attention of those who had been patiently waiting in the front row!  Following on from this, Mr Sutton gave a short introduction as to what the Hurst Jazz band were about and, as ever, embedded a few jokes and witty quips. We performed several well-known Jazz pieces including Tuxedo Junction, Take 5, Birdland and Jumpin’ at the woodside. During the performance, it was apparent that many members of the audience were familiar with some of these pieces and just could not keep their feet from tapping along to the music.

There were also some impressive solos performed by Charlie Shotton who played Toccata Latino, by James Rae, with fluency and style and Emma McPhilemy who played an original and stylish rendition of Contest Solo no 2, by Paul Harvey.

The Jazz band members, Mr Sutton and Mr Matthews received very encouraging comments and praise from the audience members who were clearly impressed with the concert performances and the Jazz band have been invited back to perform again next year.

We were given biscuits to bring back to College with us but they did not last past the journey back to Hurst! When we arrived back at school, the accompanying members of staff shared in our relief and pleasure at the success of the event, as the minibus was unpacked and equipment was returned safely to the Music School. All in all, despite the rush, it was a very successful concert. Well done to all!

To read about Music at Hurst in the first half of the Michaelmas Term, please click here