Springs Boys’ High shines at Joy of Jazz with crowd-pleasing performance

Springs Boys’ High School gave a stellar performance at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz – Jazz for Young People, featured by the Gauteng Department of Education in Braamfontein on July 26. Shawn Boucher, the school’s bandmaster, told Springs Advertiser that the experience for the boys was amazing.

He said that at first, the boys were nervous performing in a large crowd, as none of the members took music as a subject and playing in the band is seen as an extramural activity. He also said that once the show started and they got to do their thing, they were a lot more comfortable.

Boucher said that the exposure that the boys and the school got, and the chance to meet key players, has been amazing. He added that everybody is so friendly and willing to help.

“These boys work very hard to perfect their instruments, and performing helps with their confidence, especially when you can play alongside the best of the best,” said Boucher.

The band received their invite less than three weeks before the actual event, during the second term break, but Boucher said that they were fortunate enough to have 84 members in the band to be able to choose the ensemble they did and had enough music to be able to keep the crowd entertained.

When asked what pieces the band performed, he said that they wanted to keep it upbeat and modern while always trying to keep the jazz band theme in mind.

Their pieces included Creep by Radiohead, In the Stone by Earth, Wind & Fire, an 80s Medley by various artists, Gonna Fly Now, which is the theme song from Rocky, and Mamela by Micasa.

“We played lots of the chart toppers and then also some local ones with Micasa’s Mamela to bring it back to the South African vibe,” said Boucher.

Tshiamo Mothiba, a band member, expressed to the publication that he was nervous at first, adding that the cheers of the crowd made him feel at ease and excited.

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“It was breathtaking to see the audience dancing and singing along to various songs we had prepared for them,” said Mothiba.

He also shared his favourite part of the event as a whole was seeing everyone enjoy the art of jazz. He said that the school band has helped him realise and experience a lot as a young musician.

“It has given me the experience of playing on stage, but, most importantly, given me the opportunity to network with other great young musicians.

“My passion for the art has been greatly influenced by the school band, to the point where I’ve been contemplating starting a jazz band of my own with my fellow companions after school.”