A great start to the year for the Newington Bands!

The start of 2014 has been exciting for the Newington Bands. This year we introduced our fourth Wind Band – the Year 7 Band – due to the continued growth in the program. Here is a snapshot of a few exciting events throughout the beginning of the year.

Jazz in the Courtyard

On two fine Lunchtimes in Term 1, our five Jazz ensembles – Junior Jazz, Intermediate Jazz, Big Band, Stage Band and Jazz Combo – performed for a very appreciative crowd of students and teachers. The courtyard was swinging with the sounds of Jazz both old and new!

Special guest artists working with the Symphonic Winds

Last term and at the beginning of this term, the Symphonic Winds have been privileged to work with three leading National and International Wind Conductors – Steven Capaldo, Tim Reynish and Stephen Peterson. Steven Capaldo is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wollongong and commented about the boys maturity and musical sensitivity. Tim Reynish is one of the global giants of wind conducting and has personally commissioned over 100 works for band. Tim also led the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Ensemble for many years and released several recordings. Tim was also suitably impressed and mentioned that in the UK it is quite rare to have a school group of Newington’s calibre. Our boys particularly enjoyed Tim’s quirk English humour!

Stephen Peterson is Director of Bands at Ithaca College, New York and is currently President of the US College Band Directors National Association. He worked with the College’s Symphonic Winds on Wednesday 7 May – another huge honour for our boys to be working with someone of this calibre!

Over 100 Boys play for the Anzac Parade

This year marks the first year we have had over 100 boys play in the Newington College Combined Band for the annual Anzac Day Parade. The boys performed the National Anthem, Waltzing Matilda and provided solemn accompaniment to the wreath laying with hymns, Abide with Me, Lead Kindly Light and O God Our Help. Well done to all boys for their musicality and deep respect during the Parade.

Easter Success, Dominic Longhurst

Dominic Longhurst (12/JN) competed in the National Band Championships Solo contest again over Easter in Brisbane. He once again won the Junior (Under 19) Cornets and also the Open Cornets Championships. This continues a fantastic run of success for Dominic at the National level over the past six years.