Golden tone for College at Southern Jam
15 Aug 2024
Christ’s College has won an overall Gold Award at the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim, with both the Big Band and Jazz Combo wowing crowds and trumpet player Oscar Stove setting the tone to secure a spot in the All Stars Band.
A celebration of all things jazz, the festival features big bands, ensembles and combos, along with a competition, and a gala concert showcasing performances from participating schools and the All Stars Band.
College has been lauded for superb performances in competition, along with entertaining audiences at gigs in Blenheim and Picton.
As Oscar explains, the Gold Award “is at the highest level for a school band” and continues College’s impressive run at Southern Jam.
“Throughout the festival, Christ’s College bands have enjoyed good crowds and a great reception at various venues,” he says.
For the Year 11 student, it is his second year in the All Stars selection.
“About 20 musicians are chosen for a special performance during the festival finale, and only four or five are trumpet players,” he says. “I was hoping to again win a place. However, it is very competitive, with many students chasing a spot but only a few being chosen. Your performances with your school bands in competition and at gigs all contribute to your selection.
“It is really fun to play in the College Big Band and College Combo and also then be chosen for the All Stars. You only find out that you have been selected the day before the final concert, and you get your music on the actual day. I was fortunate to have a solo in the All Stars Band’s performance of Lose your Shoes by Mike Tomaro.”
Along with playing the trumpet, Oscar is a member of the Chapel Choir and Schola Cantorum. He also has appeared in multiple College and other musicals. At 15, he has been playing the trumpet for nine years, switching from violin “because I wanted something loud and fun”. He is now preparing for his trumpet performance recital to gain his Trinity College ATCL.
He plays every day, and appreciates the guidance of teacher Thomas Eves, Principal Trumpet of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Holder of a Performing Arts Scholarship, Oscar hopes to explore his passion for music post-College in tandem with a possible career in forensic psychology.
