During the recent school holidays the show band of Parel Vallei High School was among those of 10 high schools invited to attend a skills development workshop programme run by the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Presented by industry professionals, it included classes in stage etiquette preparation, musical appreciation and training in both musical and production elements. After the workshop the schools also had the opportunity to perform at the jazz festival’s development concert at Artscape Theatre. Bands were instructed to perform strictly South African jazz and the PV musos performed grassroots originals that wowed the audience and made them a crowd favourite. Once again, band member Ethan Verrezen was selected to play in the All Stars Band that performed at Greenmarket Square in front of 2 000 people at the traditional free concert of the popular festival.