A FORMER Culcheth High School pupil feels like she has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after being handpicked to play with a Grammy award-winning composer.

Chelsea Carmichael will be playing saxophone for Terence Blanchard's 13-piece Inner City Ensemble at the Parr Hall on Friday, September 16.

New Orleans-born trumpeter Terence, who has written the score for every Spike Lee film since 1991, put the line-up together after an open call for musicians.

The aim was to unite some of the UK’s most remarkable emerging jazz artists.

Chelsea, who grew up in Newchurch Lane but now lives in London, said: "I didn’t think I was going to get it because of the calibre of musicians that were going to be applying so when I got the call I was really shocked. It’s overwhelming really.

"It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ll be coming down earlier to stay with my folks.

"It will be good to have a catch up as I don’t have that much opportunity to go home.

"I think the concert is a good thing for Warrington as Terence Blanchard is an acclaimed musician. He is Grammy-winning artist so it is a good to see the town branching out into other areas of culture."

Chelsea previously met Terence when she was studying at London’s Trinity Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He held a masterclass at the college two years ago.

"Since then I’ve been inspired by his playing, his track compositions and his approach to jazz," added Chelsea.

"But I was a bit intimidated by him and the situation last time as I was a bit younger.

"I was pretty new to college so I just sat in the shadows just taking in the information. This time I’ll definitely have more of a chance to get to know him on a more personal level.

"I’m hoping to get advice on the industry and how he made it. It will be so good to hear about New Orleans as well as that is where jazz started.

"It will be really cool to get an insight into what it was like growing up there."

Chelsea, whose parents Winston Carmichael and Tracy Gilbody still live in Culcheth, first learnt the piano when she was 10.

The 23-year-old said: "My friend in primary school started playing the violin so I wanted to as well but my dad wouldn’t let me. He couldn’t handle the sound of a learner in the house!

"His solution was to get a piano instead."

Then she moved onto the saxophone when she was 12.

Chelsea added: "At that age it was just the novelty of getting an instrument. I just thought it was quite cool and it was only when I started playing it that I realised I had a passion for it."

Her first big experience of playing with a big band was at Culcheth High School under the guidance of former teacher Mark Peacock.

Since then she has performed in numerous jazz bands, formed her own quartet and joined hundreds of professional musicians when she played at the 120th BBC Proms last year.

"I’ve come to love the variety of what I do within music," Chelsea said.

"One week I could be playing with a big band in a fancy venue and the next week I could be in a field performing afrobeat music to a bunch of young people.

"Every day is different and that is what I love about it.

"I meet so many interesting, incredible people as well. That is another perk as well."

Working outside of the conventional jazz or big-band line up, Chelsea will play alongside the likes of French horn, oboe and tuba players in the Inner City Ensemble.

For tickets visit pyramidparrhall.com

DAVID MORGAN