Our jazz programme welcomes players who want to take their playing to the next level in reading, improvisation, and locking in with the groove.
Big Band
Members audition each year, with about 20 members from all year groups. The band is made up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keys, and vocals. We play at frequent school functions as well as in public at the Christchurch Big Band Festival. A big highlight is the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival, held in Blenheim each August, with bands competing and also performing in local venues and a Masterclass session. Christ’s College regularly receives a Gold award and has also won the overall Festival Winner award. College Band members are often selected for the All-Star Band, recognising the best players.
Jazz Combo
Our Jazz Combo is the place where a small group of players come together to play advanced small ensemble jazz. We go to the Southern Jam, perform around the city and in established venues, and are frequently invited to perform privately around town.
Below are our musical highlights:
2024
- Our Big Band won the overall Gold Award at the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim.
- Trumpet player Oscar Stove won a spot in the Southern Jam All Stars Band.
Tutor
Claire Oliver
Claire Oliver
Claire Oliver grew up with a passion for music, learning recorder, clarinet, saxophone, organ, electric bass and double bass.
She has been teaching instrumental music since 1993, and working at Christ’s College since 2010, where she is the Director of Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, and Jazz Combo, as well as providing private tutoring on saxophone, clarinet, and bass. In recent years, Claire has also worked with Year 9 music classes.
Claire has played double bass and clarinet in orchestras, and saxophone in symphonic bands and big bands, as well as being involved in musical theatre.
Claire prepares the groups she directs for various high school level music competitions, including the annual Chamber Music Contest, Southern Jam Jazz Festival, CPIT Jazz Quest, and the NZSM High Schools Jazz Festival. The College Big Band and Jazz Combo have repeatedly won silver and gold awards at these events, including – at Southern Jam – accolades such as Best Big Band in 2010, Overall Festival Winner in 2011, and runner-up Big Band in 2015.