Helston band wins highest award possible (From Falmouth Packet)

Helston band wins highest award possible

11:10am Monday 23rd November 2009

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An adjudicator delivered the highest praise possible to the delighted members of Helston School Jazz Orchestra when he told them he would pay to hear them play.

The students were taking part in the National Concert Band Festival, in which they walked off with the top platinum award in the first year it was introduced.

The platinum award went to bands judged to be so “outstanding” that the normal bronze, silver and gold awards were not sufficient.

The platinum award means the band has also been given an automatic invitation to the finals of the National Concert Band Festival, which will be held at Birmingham Conservatoire in April.

The competition was held in the Blake Theatre at Monmouth School in South Wales.

It was a long day for the Helston students, who left at 5.30am in order to play on stage at midday.

The journey did not appear to have affected the students’ drive, however, as their music wowed the adjudicators Kevin Price, head of brass studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and Guy Woolfenden, an acclaimed composer and conductor.

Mr Price said afterwards: “I would pay to hear this band,” before praising the high level of musicality and maturity of the players.

Mr Woolfenden said: “All sections in this superb orchestra covered themselves with glory.”

He predicted that if he played a CD of the young players to his professional colleagues they would think they were listening to an adult orchestra.

The Helston students played Boplicity by Kenny Dorham, Blue Bossa by Cleo Henry, Do Nothin’ Til You Here From Me by Russell/Ellington Wolpe and Get in Line by Gordon Goodwin.

The band’s musical director Clive King paid tribute to the dedication of all members of the band, which included seven new players this term, adding: “The determined spirit and musical ability was on show for everyone to see and I’m very proud of them all.”

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