FIFE Youth Jazz Orchestra will be grooving in style at their Christmas Concert on Sunday, thanks to their new ‘FYJO’ hoodies.

The hoodies are a gift from ex-pupil of Beath High, Janice Birrell, who remembers the buzz when the band was started 42 years ago by director, Richard Michael, who was head of music at the Cowdenbeath school for many years. At the time, Richard taught Janice music at Beath and she has fond memories of singing in the school choir, The Beath Singers.

Said Janice: “I remember the choir had over 100 pupils in it and there was great excitement when Lochgelly's brilliant sax player Joe Temperley came to visit the school after FYJO’s first tape was released, ‘Baby Bossa'.

"A world-famous jazz musician, Joe was originally from Lochgelly before making his home in New York in 1965, and he encouraged close ties with FYJO throughout his life".

Janice sees her gift as a way of acknowledging the inspiration and encouragement Richard Michael has given to her and hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of other young musicians over the last 42 years.

Pictured are Richard Michael with Janice and some of the FYJO players. Their concert will be held in the Bay Hotel, Kinghorn, at 3pm on Sunday December 2. Tickets include tea/coffee and cake and will be available on the door, or phone/text 07446 256397 / 07766 838064 to book ( £10 adult / £8 Senior Citizen / £5 school children.