Pukekohe High School which was judged the “Best High School Band” at the Manawatu Jazz Festival in June & will be performing a free concert at Brinkley Resort. Great free family entertainment for all.

Anyone who would like free tickets please call Paul at Brinkley Resort 021 022 11043.

Pre /post concert dinner and drinks are available and for reservations phone 03 302 8885 .
 

Being judged the “Best High School Band” at the Manawatu Jazz Festival in June continues a string of successes for Pukekohe High school’s stage band over several years and in a range of competitions. Add in the performance trophies achieved by individuals (this year four of them at Manawatu), and this year’s band must certainly be among the countries best.

The Pukekohe High School stage band first entered the Manawatu competition in 2003, and received much praise for the quality of its performance. Since then they have been regular participants and in 2006 were runners-up to the “Best Big Band”. In the same year the Tauranga Jazz festival was added to the itinerary and recognition as “the best new band” was achieved. Since then there have been good success at both at the Manawatu and Tauranga festivals - stand-outs being “Best Big Band” at the Manawatu Jazz Festival in 2008 along with another 4 individual awards and winning the “Best Big Band” and the “Most Outstanding Jazz Band” at Tauranga in March this year.

Next on this year’s agenda for this talented group is a south Island tour, playing at schools, The Hermitage, Mt Cook and at the Brinkley Resort in Methven. The senior students will also be giving workshops at local schools. This tour will refine this groups polished performance leading up to the KBB Music Awards in August - Auckland’s premium secondary school music competition. The stage band has been prominent at this competition in the past - winning a bronze award on 2009, a silver award in 2008 and gold awards in 2007 and 2006. Gold at this year’s competition is certainly uppermost in the minds of the performers who will be taking part in the festival.

Doctor Rodger Fox said of the band:
The Pukekohe High School Jazz Band is one on New Zealand top rated jazz orchestras.
Winners of the Tauranga and Manawatu jazz festival school's competition this group of young musicians show a maturity far beyond their years.
Well directed by Niels Leffelaar his drive and commitment is shown in the performances by these young musicians.
This is what jazz and music in general is all about.
Rodger Fox - Senior Tutor NZSM, Jazz Artist.