It has taken nearly five years to accomplish it but this year's senior jazz band, Dr Vesuvius and the Tambourine Enthusiasts, took top honours for best ensemble - the Coral and Tony Thiel Award for Best Jazz Ensemble - in the 2017 Southern Jam Festival in Term 3 in Blenheim.

The band decided at the start of the year to be self-directed. Despite this, and much to my bewilderment and concern, the students seemed to have solid ideas and the direction needed to make it happen.

Whilst the selection of charts could be described as modern, adventurous and extremely challenging for even tertiary education students, the band executed those hard materials with passion and determination. Incidentally, this happens to be the major factor in their success.

Another element of their success could be having an incredible rhythm section - especially Nikos Kazakos on drums and Austin Standeven on bass - and a front line with depth in all areas and the ability to solo and interpret charts with style and character, all of which gave hope to great success this year.

Year 13 student Leo Suggate took out the Massey University Conservatory of Music Award for Most Outstanding Guitarist, the best-improvised soloist award, and was selected to be in the All Star band. In addition, both Year 12 School of Music students, drummer Nikos Kazakos and vocalist Lydia Fay, were given a special mention in the awards ceremony. The ensemble was the only band in its category to achieve the Gold Award this year.

It would be fair to say that it was one of those rare occasions in a teacher's life where everything lined up; talent, preparation, drive, passion, and learning. The greatest achievement was to evidence the personal growth of some students and watch the band grow, develop and mature. These types of moments make all the hair-pulling, shouting, late nights, putting up with tantrums (and this is just from the teacher), and 9 hours' drive all worth while.

A stellar year and a wonderful outcome for the Music Department at Hagley College.