03 March 2010
Top young Jersey Musicians will have the chance to play alongside the world famous Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines when they perform at Jersey Opera House for the first time as part of Jersey Harbour’s Boat Show celebrations this May.
The theme of this year's Boat Show is ‘securing the future for our youth’. Up to 200 children, aged from 10 to 18, from schools across the Island will take part in a special workshop day at the Jersey Instrumental Services (JIS) rehearsal rooms organised as part of the event. Young Island musicians from the JIS Training Wind Band, JIS Intermediate Wind Band and Jersey Youth Wind Band will take part. After the workshops, about 30 talented young people will be selected to join the military big band to play 2 or 3 pieces at the Gala night at the Opera House on Sunday 2 May 2010.
The Head of Jersey’s Instrumental Musician Service, Neil Courtney, said “This is a unique experience for our young people to benefit from expert guidance from some of the world’s best military musicians. It will be an incredible opportunity for those selected to join such a prestigious band on stage and we're thrilled that the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines have taken this opportunity to come to Jersey."
Money raised from ticket sales will be donated to the Royal Naval Royal Marine Charity and the Jersey Variety Sailing Trust, the chosen charity of Jersey Harbours.
Jersey Harbours Commercial Director, Myra Shacklady said “The Jersey Boat Show has grown to become a significant event in the Island’s spring calendar, enjoyed by thousands of visitors and locals. This year our special theme is youth and this will be carried through all the elements of the show with the aim of introducing as many young Islanders as possible to the opportunities of a life at sea. This is the first time that we have decided to put on a Charity Gala Concert during the boat show weekend and we are really honoured that the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will perform. It is extremely fitting, given our ‘youth’ theme, that some of our talented young musicians will be able to join them on stage for what promises to be a very special night."
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines has visited Jersey in the past to perform a series of Beat Retreats, but this is the first time that they will perform in a concert at the Opera House. Director of Music, Captain Craig Burns, said “We will be performing a traditional military band concert repertoire with a fanfare to open, a March sequence with the Corps of Drums demonstrating their skill and dexterity with drum beatings. We'll also include virtuoso solo performances from individual members of the band and of course some of the traditional and well loved ‘Big Band’ sound, wrapping up with a finale including
the sunset ceremony.
"It will be wonderful to be on stage with some of the Island’s best young musicians and we are very pleased to be over in the Island to support Jersey Harbour’s splendid Boat Show weekend. We will try to make such an impact with our concert that we might be invited back and can perhaps make it a regular event!”
The Boat Show will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend (1 to 3 May).
gov.je