Romsey Area Jazz Orchestra


The Romsey Area Schools Orchestra is a pyramid of ensembles run by Hampshire Music Service. The Romsey Area Youth Jazz Orchestra is part of this pyramid and provides an opportunity for advanced players of saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm section to rehearse with vocalists and perform in a big band setting. It is one of seventy-two ensembles and one of only two jazz ensembles.


Twenty four talented young players under the direction of Alex Needham, closed the final session of Conference with a selection of numbers, “Splanky” a Count Basie jazz standard, with trombone solo by Harvey Tongs, “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter, “Land of Make Believe” by Chuck Mangione, “Spain” by the American Jazz pianist Chick Corea, “Birdland” written by Joe Zawinul of the band Weather Report as a tribute to the Birdland nightclub in New York, and “Can you Tell Me How to get to Sesame Street?”, the theme tune from the children’s television series.


The final number “Gonna Fly Now” from the film “Rocky” included saxophone solos from Jess Upfold and Lucy Anderson.


This was a lovely upbeat final session on the last day of Conference.


Ann Fox


Vote of thanks to President Liz


Ann Acaster had the honour to thank Liz for a successful conference with something for everyone.


We had something new—the zip wire although the zip wasn’t working because of the snow! The golf and the walks were curtailed but even Margaret Day could not control the weather! The Service of Friendship provided an upbeat start and the collection for Alzheimer’s Research UK was splendid. Ann found the speakers inspirational. We could not help but be moved by presentations on Children’s Hospices, Modern Slavery and Medical Detection Dogs. John Benjamin’s fascinating talk on jewellery was different and, in the evening, the magnificent voices of the Opera Boys.


Wednesday and our AGM, our chance to hear about all that we had achieved this year and to debate and discuss.


Our final speaker, Helen Sharman took us out of this world exhorting us “to remember to look up at the sky, not down at our feet”. Perhaps one of the Romsey Youth Jazz Band will also “Reach for the Stars” in terms of musical achievement! So to our final fling, twisting the night away with “OLD DOGZ, NEW TRIX”. A really amusing finish.


In concluding Ann thanked Liz once again for a wonderful conference.


Fiona Marwick


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Innerwheel


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