CBA's music department receive gold and silver awards at NCBF
CBA’s Junior Concert Band, Senior Concert Band and Big Band recentlytook part in the East Midlands Regional National Concert Band Festival at Nottingham High School, where they were up against groups from schools, county music services and universities.
NCBF is the largest, most active, enterprising Festival for wind instrument musicians who play in wind bands or big bands throughout the UK. 120 bands take part in the NCBF Regional Festivals ranging in age from 8 to 80.
The performances are marked against a set of criteria and all bands may receive either a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum award. This year, the Senior Concert Band received silver and the Junior Concert Band and Big Band both received gold, which is the best we have achieved since we started taking part in the competition. This now means that the Academy could now be invited to the National Finals in April 2018.
Music Teacher Louise Chapman said ‘We had a really successful day in Nottingham. We take the students to the competition every year as it's not only a great performance opportunity for the students, but they also have a chance to listen to performances from lots of other ensembles from across the country.
‘It was a privilege to take our students to NCBF- their hard work really paid off as they gave their performances their all.
Director of Music, Mr Clive Wears said ‘this is the first year that both the Junior Concert Band and Big Band have been presented with a gold award. Personally, I thought the Senior Concert band also deserved gold. Let’s hope we can complete the triple gold next year. ‘
Year 9 student Sullivan said ‘I was really pleased with the bands' performances and it was really good that the Big Band and Junior Concert Band achieved Gold for the first time. I enjoy going every year because it's great to perform with the other musicians; it's our first 'big' performance of the year.