Bernstein Project at the Schools Prom 2014: an ex-band that existed for one piece

11 November 2014, 19:56 | Updated: 15 December 2016, 11:50

The Bernstein Project existed simply because one of its members fancied playing a particular piece by the great Leonard Bernstein. But now they're breaking up...

Band member Ellis was responsible for the choice of piece, Prelude, Fugue and Riffs. He told Classic FM's Tim Lihoreau: "I've always really enjoyed Bernstein. And there's a solo clarinet in it - and I play clarinet, so..." We like your thinking, Ellis. 

This piece displays Bernstein’s ability to make any style his own and combines traditional musical forms with the spontaneity and energy of jazz, which proved an education to all the group. The Bernstein Project say they are not a jazz band, but they might still be converted!

The musicians of the Bernstein Project mostly come from the Hampshire Country Youth Orchestra or Hampshire County Youth Band, but sadly they are now an ex-band, as their director Carl Clausen explains: "We've already split, because half of us have already gone to university." 

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