The Catholic High School is situated in the Handbridge area of Chester.
We attract students from areas within a 15-mile radius of the city centre. We are a popular school, and during the last few years our numbers have risen rapidly.
The school has had Beacon Status for the last 3 years for SEN, Mathematics and Literacy a status which we have recently been regranted to work in Music, Art and Design Technology.
The school has a strong ethos, setting high standards for all. We have gained a Sportsmark, an Artsmark and our high academic achievement has been recognised with two DfES Excellence Awards in 2001 and 2002.
We were recently the first Cheshire school to gain Specialist Science College Satus through which we will continue our focus on improving the quality and diversity of learning at our school.
'City Jazz' are the school's jazz orchestra which was formed in September 1992 under the musical direction of Kevin Tout.
The musicians and singers who comprise this ensemble represent just a small percentage of the many hundreds of students who pass through our busy and vibrant music department each week.
The band has achieved remarkable success in both domestic and national competitive music festivals taking over twenty five top awards.
'City Jazz' were 1998 National Runners-up in The National Festival of Music for Youth Jazz Finals held at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester - taking the 'Highly Commended' Performance Award.
The ensemble made their third apperance at The National Festival of Music for Youth Jazz Finals held at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire in July 2005.
The ensemble have recorded four Cds 'Going Places' was recorded in 1996 to commemorate the
'City Jazz' tour to Italy.'Then And Now' was recorded in February of 2002 and is an excellent example of the band's versatility in performance.
City Jazz 'The Divas Album' and City Jazz 'Celebration' were both recorded between June 12 - 26 2007 and bare testimony to just how far this ensemble have come as we celebrated our fifteenth annivesary year.
'City Jazz' have undertaken twenty one European Tours over the last seventeen years, and received an unbelievable reception whilst performing at the Cork International Jazz Festival in October of 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 The City Jazz Orchestra & Singers are to appear at this festival, by popular request yet again in October 2010.
The City Jazz Orchestra & Singers will end this year's hectic concert schedule with a 7-day tour to Cote d'Azure, South of France in July 2010.
The 'City Jazz' Orchestra offers young musicians the opportunity to develop their performance skills to a very high standard. The emphasis has and always will be on student's enjoyment of music. Our musicians develop a very real confidence in themselves, and in so doing, realise their full potential.
Our very sincere thanks to Head Teacher John Murray, Head of Music Colin Parfitt and all the staff at the school for their cooperation and support on countless occasions.
To the parents of our musicians, without whos support none of this would have been possible - a very big "Thank you".
To all the musicians involved with 'City Jazz' "A million thanks" and much love.
Kevin Tout BA (Hons) AMusTCL ATCL (Musical Director)
