There is a real buzz in the air in a small Northumberland town, as excited high school pupils (and teachers) complete rehearsals for their 2010 European concert tour.
Prudhoe Community High School’s Swing Band will be on tour in Tuscany next week, and on Wednesday 21st July are set to perform in Piazza Angelio. The free concert starts at 9pm.
The band will be travelling from Prudhoe (near Newcastle-upon-Tyne U.K.) by coach! But this is no great hardship as they are regular European travellers. Recently they have toured in Switzerland, Austria and the Veneto. Three times award winners at the North of England Schools Big Band Jazz Festival, the line up includes talented instrumentalists aged from 13 to 19. They will be performing standard and original repertoire in a range of styles including, swing, rock, funk and Latin. Add to this several talented vocalists and it should prove to be an evening not to miss.
The concert in Barga will surely be a highlight of their tour. This is particularly so for music teacher and band leader Alex Lewis, who is fulfilling a long held wish to share with his pupils this beautiful Italian hill town and the warm hospitality of the people of Barga, which he remembers from family holidays during his own school days. On his first visit, in the early 1990’s, suggested by family friend Prof. Alfredo Moscardini, Alex remembers swimming at the newly opened pool, sampling some fine fish and chips from a van on the sports ground, and spending many warm evenings cooling off with ‘un ghiacciolo limone’ under the tree!
“Sadly, we can’t be around long enough for the Pesce e Patate festival, this year but the teachers will no-doubt make time for some fine Chianti in the Alpino! We hope you will enjoy our music as much as we will enjoy a summer evening in a truly magical place!”
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A very credible performance, from a most impressive group of young people. Barga knows popular music and has played host to some of its best interpreters. You heard nothing but praise for Prudhoe around here — and amazement at the age of its musicians — after their concert.