Gold for Concert Band

In a positive start to the music competition ‘season,’ the Concert Band were awarded Gold for their performance yesterday at the Matamata Festival of Music. This was particularly significant for the band, as last year, with the disruption of the lockdowns, all their key performances were played to a recording camera without an audience. Yesterday, they rose to the occasion and loved performing live!

Sixty band members made the journey ‘down country’ to compete and came away feeling very confident as they start the build up to the Saint Kentigern Large Ensemble Showcase, prior to competing at the National Concert Band Festival and then KBB Music Festival in August.

The band played ‘Song for Lyndsay’ by Andrew Boysen Jr, ‘Wedding Dance’ by Jacques Press,

‘Bassoonata’ by David Bennett with a solo performance by Daniel Huang, and ‘New York’ from ‘East Coast Pictures’ by Nigel Hess.

Following their performance, the adjudicator’s written comments said, ‘A large school ensemble with good musicians. Impressive technical playing and supporting percussion section throughout. Some good solid low brass and tidy trumpet work. Clarinets and Flutes worked well together in this varied and enjoyable programme.’

The Saint Kentigern Concert Band is one of the premier auditioned College ensembles and like many other musicians involved in the College music programme, they take pride in performing for school and community events. Many of the band members are active across several other music groups, with the older members supporting the younger students to enjoy their music journey. Well done to all those who performed – what a great start to your ‘season!’