Fresh from its roof-raising gig here last Friday, there’s no rest for the University Big Band as its takes its dancing-feet down the road to St Edmunds’ School, where it joins forces with the St Edmund’s School Big Band for a rollicking night of jazz, swing and blues this Wednesday night.
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Fearless captain Ian Swatman will once more be at the helm, and vocalist Louise Cookman will return for what promises to be a lively evening; tickets are a mere snip at £7 / £5 concessions, available from the Marlowe Theatre Box Office or Canterbury Ticket Shop here.
The Director of Music reflects on last week’s titanic band-clash…
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St Edmund’s School Hall was packed out last week for the annual music extravaganza that is Big Bands 3, masterminded and conducted by Ian Swatman. The evening began with the massed ranks of the University’s Concert Band, playing a selection of this year’s repertoire including a selection for ‘Wicked’. Equally wicked was the impressive playing of the St Edmund’s Big Band which brought the first half to a bewitching close!
Refreshed by a glass (or two) of wine, the audience was then treated to the sensational sounds of the University’s Big Band, featuring student vocalist, Ruby Mutlow, and guest appearances from two St Edmund’s pupils, Alex Gibson and Tom Lowen. The concert then came to an ear-splitting, foot tapping climax as School and University Bands combined for one final number, Zoot Suit Riot.’
The concert was in aid of the Jacob Barnes Scholarship Trust, and a staggering £1,600 was raised! So many thanks to everyone for their generosity and to Ian, Will Bersey, Carol Hawkins and all the St Edmund’s team for making the concert such a success!
Not one: not two: but three bands come together next week on Wednesday 28 March, as Big Bands 3 returns.
Kent's First Lady of Jazz: Ruby Mutlow
Following on from last year’s highly successful charity concert, the bands of St Edmund’s School and the University of Kent will be joining forces in support of the Jacob Barnes Scholarship Trust.
Jacob ‘Jake’ Barnes, who died aged 21 after a two-year fight against a virulent form of leukemia, was an exceptional talent. He was a scholar at St Edmund’s School, and pianist with the University of Kent Chamber Choir in 2007-08. Following A-Levels, Jake won a place at the Royal Academy of Music. His name will be remembered by the Jacob Barnes Scholarship, which will be presented annually at the Royal Academy of Music to a young chamber ensemble.
Ian Swatman, conductor of the University Concert and Big Bands and also Head of Instrumental Studies at St Edmund’s School, will be at the helm, which will feature popular repertoire for Concert and Big Bands with guest soloists.
Tickets are priced at £5 and are available from the School box office on 01227 475600.
After the Concert and Big Band’s action-packed concert at the Gulbenkian Theatre last month, this promises to be an exciting event, in aid of a very worthy cause. Support it if you can.
Because it does. Doesn't it ? Blogging about extra-curricular musical life at the University of Kent.
