OKEHAMPTON College Big Band are setting their sights East and have begun raising funds for a prospective tour of Hong Kong this autumn. The band have been invited to undertake a ten-day tour of Hong Kong in October, where they would play a number of concerts to English-speaking schools and public venues. In order to be able to take advantage of this exciting opportunity, the band are busy playing a series of fundraising concerts, including a prestigious date at the college itself. Food and catering students will be preparing a buffet meal for the gala dinner dance next Friday, April 22, from 7.30pm. Acting principal Daryl Chapman said: ?Hong Kong would be a great experience for the youngsters and it would help us to promote our international dimension and links with schools in other parts of the world.? The Big Band, which comprise 26 students aged 12 to 18, have developed an excellent reputation for their performance of swing, jazz and big band music. A CD of their music was recorded during a tour of Edinburgh two years ago and more recently they performed to high acclaim in a number of venues while on a tour of Dublin last July. Many of the band members live in rurally isolated parts of West Devon and the chance to travel and experience such a different culture will be the opportunity of a lifetime. The band has appealed for new engagements anywhere in Devon to help it meet its target to be able to send the band abroad. Tickets for the dinner dance which takes place in the college sports hall cost £10 and are available from the college reception.
