BEV'S THOUGHTS ON THE STUDENT WORKSHOPS

Waking up to a bright morning, blue skies, sunshine, and very much a ‘feel good’ day… it was Monday, October 27th, the tenth workshop sponsored by the Tunbridge Wells Jazz Club for students attending local schools. Working in conjunction with the Kent Music School, we are able to use the fine Music Centre belonging to the Tunbridge Wells Girls’Grammar School.

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My phone was ringing as I came through the door and I was tempted to leave it, but my thoughts quickly turned to ‘perhaps it’s a student’. . glad I did, two brand new students were wanting further directions. I spoke to the elder of the two brothers, and was told the younger one hadn’t yet made up his mind about coming. I said that the girls as well as the boys were very nice, but I think that stressing chocolate cake would be there clinched it!

We had six missing from our usual team, some with school commitments, one in Mauritius playing with the Kent Youth Orchestra, (poor girl), but even so, we had eleven students. The day began at ten o’clock, with music director Paul Lacey using the black-board to demonstrate chords and the students going over them singularly, then as a group, with Pete Neighbour concentrating on reeds, and Richard Pite, an authoritative teacher who commands respect (and gets it). Nick Dawson sat with our young pianist, who later stated he valued the teaching given.

The group consisted of three clarinets, four saxophones, two trumpets, a trombone and piano. We broke for an hour at lunch and the parents joined us at three thirty for a short concert, listening to the music learnt that day, which I would say was split into fifty percent up front teaching and fifty in playing.

The students finished and left just after four, except one, who continued playing her saxophone whilst we locked up, and remained in the porch... still playing. I suggested she went over to the main hall until her parents arrived, or sit in my car, but no, she didn’t need my help and continued to play outside. The music sounded loud and clear throughout the grounds. I was finding imaginary jobs to do in the boot of my car, as I had no intention of leaving her and began to wonder if someone would come in and leave a hat on the ground, when a car arrived with the parent, who had been held up at the dentist. I was told how much she loved jazz and what it meant to her. Well, at the risk of sounding an old smoochy. this one plays from the heart.

Our students’ grades range from five to eight, and they sound great; I wonder how many students give up the first day of the half-term to work so hard? With all the school work and activities, their loyalty to us is so good, and is the one thing that keeps me moving along with them after five years and, of course, the joy of the music and seeing it all come together at the end of the day.

We need more students in the rhythm section plus another trumpet and trombone. BUT . . . as well as this we really need sponsors. It is so very important that something as special as this keeps moving forward. We have the interest and dedication of the youngsters and it would be awful to lose them through lack of money. You wouldn’t be reading this if you were not jazz enthusiasts, but are there people out there who care enough to sponsor talented and keen youngsters? If so, we would love to hear from you. If you are in business, your logo would go on this newsletter, and you would be mentioned at each of our concerts. Just think about it, and be part of what we are achieve at Tunbridge Wells Jazz Club.       Bev Kennedy (Chair)

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