After what is already being hailed as one of the tightest MD auditions in Big Band collective memory, I can happily announce that the University of Warwick Big Band Musical Directors for the coming year are:

Malik Refaat,
Dan Parkes,
Matthew Clare

Congratulations and commiserations to everyone else who auditioned. The overall standard is a great testament to the musical talent in the band, and we all look forward to working with our new MDs!

I am very proud to say that The University of Warwick Big Band won a Platinum Award today at the National Concert Band Festival regional event in Northampton. This means we'll be heading to Glasgow in April for the finals! A huge well done to everyone that played today and a big thanks to all the hard work you put in rehearsing for this. A MASSIVE thank you of course to Tom, Tim and Phil the outgoing MDs who've been brilliant and worked so hard this year to get us to this level. Thanks also to the new MDs Tim, Bubba and Dan for their work in the few rehearsals leading up to the competition. Mad props to exec also for having the vision and organisation to get us to NCBF this year.

If you'd like to listen to the performance, Phil has messed about with the audio files and uploaded the tracks (and separate commentary) here.

It's the audition time of year, and this week it's the turn of singers to be auditioned. Following a long and difficult day of choosing which auditionees to put forward to callbacks to sing with the band, two male and two female singers have been chosen.

Many congratulations to: the two male singers, Tom Sharp and Josh Anderson; and the female singers, Jess Geeson and Helen Mason.

It goes without saying that it was a tough vote, so many thanks to everyone that auditioned for us.

Finally, a big thank you and congratulations are in order for our outgoing singers: Adam Beveridge, Shiri Gurvitz and Alex Petrides.

Every year the Big Band elects new Musical Directors to conduct the band during gigs and rehearsals, and generally guide its musical direction. This year, of course, has been no exception: We would like to congratulate and welcome our new MDs: Tim Sentence, Malcolm "Bubba" McCarthy, and Dan Parkes. It was a tough choice with discussion going on into the night, and we'd also like to thank and congratulate each and every participant. Big thanks also go to our outgoing MDs: Tom Lindsay and Phil Rushworth. It's been a brilliant year for the band, in no small part thanks to your expert guidance.

Tickets for the Big Band's End of Year Finale Concert are now available via the online shop!

Below is the description as given on Warwick Arts Centre's website:

The University of Warwick Big Band plays a wide range of music under the jazz umbrella, from traditional swing and blues to more modern funk and soul, with some fantastic vocal pieces as well. Over the last year the band has developed their musicianship and professionalism and has some outstanding soloists to add further depth to their music.

Their gigs are always accompanied by a high level of excitement and atmosphere which really brings the music alive, and they pride themselves on spreading their love of music as far and wide as they can.

This Finale Concert celebrates all that the Big Band have achieved over the last twelve months. In this time they have toured to Vienna, Leeds and Brighton, and will be playing in Bruges in the summer. The band changes yearly with the constant flow of new members joining the band and graduates leaving, and so much has been achieved by the leavers that this Finale Concert is a landmark event for them which promises to be a memorable occasion for all. Come join us and celebrate the wonderful contribution that the leaving members have made to the success of our vibrant Big Band!

Every year the Big Band holds auditions for Musical Directors, or MDs, who take charge of the musical decisions within the band. Our auditions were held in front of the band last week and as always we were left with a tough decision to make!

The new elected MDs for the following year are:

• Tom Lindsay
• Chris Mourant
• Tim Sentance
• Phil Rushworth

The University of Warwick Big Band has a long-established outreach programme running for schools in Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa. The Big Band can provide a performance at your school, free of charge, lasting between 30 minutes and one hour. We provide fun, energetic music for the schoolchildren, whilst also helping them to learn about the different instruments and different types of music available. These performances are a great way to encourage the childrens' enthusiasm for music!

If you are interested in a performance for your school, please get in touch by emailing exec@thebigband.co.uk

The University of Warwick Big Band will travel to Leeds on 27th November to perform with the Leeds University Union Dance Band in Leeds!

The Big Band is travelling to Leeds as part of its "Minitour" and is thrilled to be playing (and partying!) alongside the Leeds University Union Dance Band!

If you are in Leeds on Friday 27th November, come and join us for some jazz! You can see all the details on the Leeds University Union website.