Marryatville High School Big Band One: Keith visits the band in the Adelaide City region of South Australia

Internationally acclaimed Australian jazz musician, James Morrison reckons very few professional big bands get it together like the Marryatville High School Big Band One.

They belt out a phenomenal sound. They've just won a national student big band competition, toured to Melbourne and Sydney and their next stop is New York.

There are 19 in the band; a couple are old enough to vote while the youngest has just turned 14. While they study different subjects they all have one thing in common - they passed the tough audition to join the crème de la crème of music students at Marryatville High.

The school's parklike campus along First Creek sees the 1,200 students doing the usual lunchtime things - some kick the footy, while others sit around and chat.

But venture inside the old stables, the home of the Special Interest Music Centre and you'll find a bunch putting in some extra practice that help uphold the school's formidable music reputation.

They are some of the 120 or so students who, after an exhaustive auditioning process are accepted into Marryatville each year to specialise in music - from classical ensembles and soloists through to choir and contemporary jazz.

The program's been running for nearly thirty years and its numerous awards means it's considered one of Australia's best.

And sitting in on one of the jazz sections rehearsals, you can see why. Giving some keen advice was drummer, Ben Todd. James Morrison recently said Ben's drumming is as good as it gets - little wonder when you find out when he began!

"Well, it started extremely early," said Ben. "My grandfather and my dad and my uncle are all drummers, so by the time I was about three, it was kind of decided I was going to head down that path…"

Alana Dawes is another who caught James Morrison's attention.

"You have no idea until you get in here and have your first rehearsal," explained Alana. "Then you realise how hard everyone works and you just try your hardest. Practise as much as you can and learn as much as you can."

And how did she get to be a bass player?

"I just saw a picture on the wall and thought I want to play that one."

James Morrison said Alana's "musicianship is exquisite" after the band's recent win at the National Generations of Jazz Competition in Mount Gambier.

Something you notice about her and the other band members is that they are all very down to earth. But under the leadership of Rod Chenoweth, their combined sound is off the planet.

Rob's an accomplished trumpeter in his own right having played with big stars like Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, INXS and John Farnham.

But when he's out the front of this lot -THEY are the stars. He's coached the band to five National Championship wins, interstate gigs and tours to England and America.

But being invited to perform in New York at the world's biggest Jazz Educations Conference in January next year is as big as it gets.

But it's not likely to be the last - who knows where they'll end up!

There's an old muso's gag that goes, 'what's the quickest way to New York's Carnegie Hall? - Practice, man, practice!' Well these youngsters have certainly done lots of that - that's why they make it sound so easy.

If you want to hear them and help them get to New York, buy a ticket to their big cabaret to be held on Tuesday, 20 September 2005. It's at the Woodville Town Hall and special guest is Rhonda Birchmore.

For more details or to book contact the school direct.

MHS Big Band 1 Cabaret
20 September 2005
Woodville Town Hall
Bookings (08) 8304 8431 (8.30am - 3.30pm)