A successful year for a school jazz band ended with a performance in the finals of the National Music for Youth Festival in Birmingham.

Harpenden’s Roundwood Park Jazz Band performed in the school jazz section of the final and their performance earned praise from judges and audience alike.

The journey to Birmingham began a few months ago in March when the students competed in the regionals at St Albans Music School performing the three pieces that would eventually form part of their repertoire in the finals.

During the regionals Roundwood had to compete against a great variety of school ensembles from all over the local area, eventually triumphing to praise from the judges for their confident ‘punchy’ style, described as ‘enviable for a band of your kind’.

It was the first time in four years of competing in the Music for Youth competition that the school made the finals having narrowly missed out in previous years.

The competition in Birmingham was very strong but once the band had performed they were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the competition knowing they had done themselves proud.