9 December 2011
Abingdon's Tim Davies, aged 15 from Checkendon, rose to the challenge of a life time when, in the audience of an open rehearsal for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, NYJO, a shortage of trumpet players forced a request for aspiring musicians to step in.
Tim, after a bit of cajoling and a lot of encouragement agreed to play in the rehearsal only to be asked back by the Director of the NYJO, Bill Ashton, to take part in the evening performance.
Tim said, ‘At first I wasn't too keen on the idea of helping with the rehearsal. I had been listening to the band and it was very clear how good they were and how advanced the music was. My teacher, Andy Townsend, then volunteered to play just for the rehearsal and persuaded me to go up on stage with him. When I was asked if I could stay on and play in the concert I could not believe it! I had only seen less than half of the evening's music but opportunities to play with a National Orchestra of that quality do not come every day for someone of my age, so, quaking in my boots I agreed to return at 7.15pm with my own trumpet.’
Tim plays in Abingdon School’s Big Band which had gone to the Kenton Theatre in Henley on Thames to hear the NYJO rehearse before their Christmas concert that evening. The concert played to a packed house opening with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and Paul Hart, followed by jazz and blues arrangements of some popular Christmas songs.
Tim continues, ‘There was a considerable amount of nerves for me at the start. I was the youngest there by about five years and playing next to some of the best young jazz musicians in the country. But A Christmas Carol turned out to be one of the most enjoyable pieces of music I have ever played. I felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to play with such great musicians, and even more so in a live performance. The whole experience has hugely encouraged and inspired me to improve at the trumpet and perhaps even take it further in life.’
Michael Stinton, Director of Music at Abingdon School, said, "It's amazing what unexpected things can happen when you take pupils to events like hearing the NYJO in rehearsal. When Bill Ashton suggested that one of our boys could play, it did not seem very realistic. But young Tim took the challenge, borrowed a trumpet and took himself out of his comfort zone - full credit to him. It will be a lingering memory for him in the years to come!"