There is something powerful and exciting about the sound of a Big Band playing at full tilt. Saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and the rhythm section come together to perform like they are one, the rhythm swings and those listening are unable to resist the temptation to tap their feet in time to the music. Now picture that scene in our own Recital Hall as the space is transformed from a beautiful concert hall into a cabaret club and you can imagine the atmosphere as the Thundering Herd, Five Foot Six and our mighty Concert Band played at this year’s 'Swing into Spring'.

Perhaps it should have been called ‘Step into Summer’ given the recent good weather we’re enjoying; Swing into Spring traditionally brings the first half of the summer term to a close and this year’s show (it’s definitely a ‘show’ and not a concert) was another triumph.

This year, the audience was treated to a broad range of repertoire from big band and trad. jazz classics such as Night Train, Fly me to the Moon,  St Louis Blues, and Come to the Moon, Latin favourites including Evil Ways (as made famous by Santana) and more contemporary arrangements of songs such as Shallow (from A Star is Born), Blinding Lights, and Bad Romance. There was even a moment for the audience to join in with the fun as they sang Lord Kitchener’s Old Lady Walk a Mile and Half (the timeless Calypso hit) whilst every member of the Thundering Herd improvised simultaneously.

Sounds like chaos? It was surprisingly brilliant, just like the evening itself, where these incredible 11–13-year-olds entertained those lucky enough to attend amazingly well. What a way to ‘Jump into June’!

Marcus Reeves, Director of Music

8th June 2023

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