Bands and Orchestra's:
I have been playing with the John Seeley Jazz and Saxophone group since I picked up a saxophone in 2017. Up until Covid -19 in 2020, the band regularly played a yearly spot on Colchester Bandstand and Priory Park Bandstand in Southend. We also used to put on a Summer and Winter Concert every year in Leigh on Sea. 2022 has seen the band back out there on the bandstands and we even have a spot at the Southend Jazz Festival 2022. The group has been playing for 11 years and has improved so much since it's humble beginning's and so has our repertoire! Even though we are still effectively classed as an Amateur Jazz Band, thanks to John and his amazing teaching; the group is now playing big band numbers and tunes, to what is considered a semi-professional standard of playing. We got so good, John has had to start a new beginners group for lower levels.
Photo's taken by JayAre Photgraphy
Priory Park June 2022
In April 2022 I attended a 2 day Clarinet; Ensemble & Masterclass Workshop led by the Internationally acclaimed Solo Clarinettist Emma Johnson. I found the course very inspirational, the course taught me how how different orchestral ensemble work was to the Jazz Band, it's a totally different skill and one I felt I should explore more. I had tried out a couple of amateur orchestra's a couple of years previously but felt a little out of my depth, so I never stuck at it. The course made me realise how much I enjoyed the challenge of classical ensemble work, I came home full of enthusiasm and set myself the task of finding myself an amateur orchestra to play in.
Shortly after the Emma Johnson Course, at the end of April 2022 I had the opportunity to join Maldon Orchestra and fill the position of third clarinet, where I currently rehearse every Friday Evening in West Maldon Community Hall. I have have had the privilege of playing one Summer concert with them during the July heatwave and shall be joining them to play at their future concerts this year.
In May 2022 I was invited to attend an Open Rehearsal Day with the Essex Yeomanry Military Band, to try out for the position of third Clarinet. After the Open Day, I was granted a probationary rehearsal period with the band, which I successfully compleated in July 2022, which was when I received my official invitation to join the Essex Yeomanry Band. The Essex Yeomanry Band is one of the oldest military bands in the country and historically dates back to 1809 formed by members of the Essex Yeomanry Regiment. It's currently the only Military Band where all of it's musicians are civilians; whom are allowed to wear the uniform of the Essex Yeomanry Regiment.
You can read more about it here:
https://www.essexyeomanryband.org.uk/
I am extremely proud to be a part of the band
Photo taken by JayAre Photgraphy
Photo taken by JayAre Photgraphy
On top of all my band activities you can also find me performing at some of the local open mics whenever I get the opportunity.
photo's by wildcat images