THE KWAZULU-NATAL Youth Wind Band recently returned from New York City after performing in the New York Wind Band Festival. North Durban schools were well-represented in the ensemble. Learners from Northwood High School and Crawford College La Lucia made the trip to the USA.
The provincial group were the only international band invited to perform at the hallowed Carnegie Hall. Another astounding feat by the South Africans was that they were one of three teams to walk away with gold for their performance at the event.
The Northglen News recently caught up with one of the band members, and spoke to him about his American-experience. Grade 11, Crawford College La Lucia learner, James Benskin said, “Playing at Carnegie Hall was something special. The space is phenomenal. The sound lingers for a few moments afterward. It is the best sound I’ve heard from a hall.”
Benskin plays the saxophone and learned how to play the instrument when he was 11 years-old. The now 17 year-old said that he enjoys the saxophone because of the sound it makes. “The sound is just unique. It’s one of my favourite sounds. I think that’s because it is a mixture between woodwind and brass. Not many instruments sound like it,” he said.
