Northampton Music Festival 2005
So there we were, waiting apprehensively outside Cripps Hall in Northampton in the freezing cold wind at just before 9am on Saturday May 14th. It was the session in the Festival where the jazz and band groups perform, and we were hopeful that, as we had worked so hard and were sounding good, we might just manage to come home with a prize. Little did we know what was in store! The door finally opened, and in we went to our dressing room. Our Senior Band didn't have to wait long, as they were on at 9.30am. We warmed up (both musically and bodily!) in the Green Room whilst the stage was set for us, and then quickly took our places in front of the judges. Off we went into "Psalm", which we thought we played very well. We then sat in the audience and listened to the other bands, and appreciated just how stiff the opposition was! Then - the moment we had been waiting for - and dreading - the adjudication! We had won! We couldn't believe it! Next up were our Junior and Beginner bands, who were already mustered in the Green Room. There were several other bands in this group, and we just couldn't believe our ears when our Junior Band won! Our Beginner Band was praised by the adjudicator, who said they played very well, and were the winners of the future. Last to go was our Senior Jazz group, who were up against some very stiff competition in the form of - amongst others - our own Junior Jazz group! Senior Jazz simply blew the opposition away with "Mambo Hot", "Someone to Watch Over Me", and their finale - "Perdido". Junior Jazz played "Stepping Out", and gave a very good account of themselves indeed. Again, we waited nervously for the adjudication, which was as usual announced in reverse order. Junior Jazz were placed 4th, and we just couldn't believe what we were hearing when we realised we had actually won! We were presented with the Parsons Trophy - a beautiful silver cup. Our adjudication gave us an "outstanding", which just was simply the icing on the cake! Poor Mr Turnbull was so overcome he had to be helped from the stage! It was a totally fantastic result. It took a little while for the fact to sink in that one of our bands had come first in each class - KMPAC had pulled off a most fantastic hat trick!
Here are a few pictures of some of us in action, and a couple of the celebrations afterwards!
Woodwind Group - this group performed to a very high standard in their section, and tackled some very tricky material! Unfortunately, they were the only group entered into this section, so there wasn't a competition as such. They were highly praised by the adjudicator.
Drama - the Centre's Drama Group also took part, and although they were unplaced, they performed extremely well, and were a credit to the Centre.
There were also several individual successes, all gaining a "good" in their adjudication, in classes averaging 25 entries.
Junior band in action
Junior band again - a study in concentration....
Senior Jazz's big sound blowing the opposition away....
