RNCM Big Band in China

The RNCM Big Band has just completed a fantastic week in China, presenting workshops and concerts at Wycombe Abbey International School.

Situated in Changzhou, Wycombe Abbey International School is home to over 840 pupils from primary age through to 18. RNCM students worked with all ages over the week, which culminated in a performance at Shanghai Poly Grand Theatre.

Mike Hall, RNCM Big Band Director, said: ‘Our students have worked incredibly long and hard taking workshops and presenting concerts from eight in the morning through to evening sessions, but every one of them has admitted to having had an amazing time. And we’ve been treated as visiting superstars with school students respectfully demanding our autographs!

‘The fact that there is little jazz, brass or saxophone tradition in the School (or China for that matter) meant that hearing our Big Band in action had a tremendous impact on the students and staff alike. And playing in the 1600 seat state-of-the-art Poly Grand Theatre in Shanghai was exhilarating.’

Did you know?

The RNCM Big Band was founded over 30 years ago to provide students of all ages with opportunities to develop their skills in jazz, commercial music and improvisation. It’s one of the College’s major ensembles and performs different programmes each year with guest artists. The repertoire spans from the formative styles of the 1920s right through to the contemporary sounds of Maria Schneider, Colin Towns and everything in between.

Catch the RNCM Big Band and guest Pete Long on Friday 14 December when they perform a Benny Goodman night in the RNCM Theatre.

19 November 2018