The Big Band participated in the NZ Youth Jazz Competition at the National Jazz Festival in Tauranga over Easter. You may recall that their participation last year was cancelled due to Cyclone Cook making it too dangerous to travel. 

This year well and truly made up for it! With 18 months of rehearsals / gigs, competitions and concerts under their belt, the band were in a great position to participate, pitting their skills against much longer established bands from around the country. They came away with a silver award certificate and won a trophy for best performance of a NZ composition (Ernie by Fat Freddy’s Drop). 

They were also privileged to be asked by the organisers to perform a 90 minute set at The Strand Concert Series. It was very exciting for the band to be involved with the festival and a real highlight of the year for the 19 young men in the band.

Thanks go out to the very supportive whānau, especially the hard-working committee of Sally Thomson-Gregg and Vicki Cowan, without whom there would be no band.