Ryan Stopforth has been selected to be part of the 2016 National Schools’ Jazz Big Band.
The Grade 11 pupil who is a guitarist at St John’s College, attended the 2016 Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival which took place in Grahamstown between 29 June and 5 July. Selections were made, placing the top 18 school jazz players in the country together in a band conducted by Dan Shout.
According to Cailin Wandrag, head of marketing at the school, the festival attracts top young talent from around the country and this year’s national band performed with accuracy and flair. They drew positive comments from a range of listeners which included course lecturers, audiences, jazz professionals and visiting international educators and performers.
“We are extremely proud of Ryan’s achievement at a national level,” said Wandrag.
