Rustenburg Girls’ High School pupil Imke Muhr was selected for the Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band after completing two rounds of strenuous auditions at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
After a first round of regional auditions, the pupils were matched with other musicians across the province to perform in a jazz ensemble in front of a panel of five professional jazz musicians.
Successful candidates went through to the second round in Grahamstown, where only four chairs were available to 12 musicians. Imke took the second chair position, which is normally reserved for players with high improvisation ability and harmonic playing.
“The Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band is a high achievement, as it showcases 18 of South Africa’s best jazz students at high school level for the year. Imke really played her heart out. She was focused, determined and her years of practice and experience paid off. She has mastered a high standard of playing the trombone,” said Rustenburg jazz teacher Murray Buitendag.
