Gordon Campbell, Helston Town Band and HSJO

"THE BEFORE"

MUSICAL TREAT IN STORE
On Wednesday 10th March at Helston Upper School Hall a unique event will be taking place. For the first time Helston’s two award winning bands, Helston School Jazz Orchestra and Helston Town Band are sharing the bill at a jazz & brass concert, showcasing Helston’s best musical talent. Featured guest artist for the evening will be arguably the finest trombonist in Europe – Gordon Campbell.

Gordon Campbell is regarded as one of this country’s leading trombone players. He is currently Lead-Trombone in the BBC Big Band, a position he has held since 1984. His varied career has encompassed Jazz,Classical, Musical Theatre, Film and Pop and he has worked with many of the world’s leading performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennet, Ray Charles and Robbie Williams to name but a few! He also plays regularly with the Robert Farnon Orchestra, Laurie Johnson London Big Band and the Laurie Holloway Big Band on the Parkinson Television Show.

It is only thanks to generous sponsorship from local businesses that HSJO are able to bring a performer of such international acclaim to Helston, where he will conduct a series of workshops with school musicians prior to the evening concert.

Both bands will be at the peak of their performance as Helston Town Band are in the middle of their competition season, and Helston School Jazz Orchestra will go to Manchester at the end of March to compete at the National Concert Band Festival Finals, seeking a prestigious gold award.

The evening promises to be a rare treat for all music lovers featuring the best of both brass and big band music

"THE AFTER"

A WONDERFUL MUSICAL EVENING IN HELSTON
The sell out audience at Helston School on Wednesday were treated to the most wonderful musical evening. Helston Town Band were on sparkling form under the baton of Keith Busby, and received a fantastic response both to their repertoire and to “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” where they were accompanied by the evening’s guest performer Gordon Campbell one of the finest trombonists in the UK today.

Gordon then wowed the audience with a smooth jazz set accompanied by local musicians Richard Penrose, Pete Townsend and Robbie Brokenshire. Both Richard and Robbie being ex-HSJO members.

Earlier in the afternoon workshops and master classes were held at Helston College Music Block by Gordon with groups of young trombonists all of who are students at the school.

The evening’s entertainment was rounded off by Helston School Jazz Orchestra. They treated the audience to the programme they will be performing at the end of March in Manchester at the National Concert Band Festival Finals. Gordon Campbell also featured strongly with HSJO for some fantastic big band sounds which the large audience greatly appreciated.

It was terrific to see Helston’s two successful bands performing on the same bill for the first, and hopefully not the last time. And to hear such an outstanding trombonist at a local venue was a rare treat for everyone who came along.

Good luck to both groups at their forthcoming competitions and thanks to the sponsorship from Helston’s businesses which enabled HSJO to bring Gordon Campbell to the town for the workshops and concerts.