From Friday January 31st into Saturday February 1st, seven dedicated (mad) musicians spent twenty four hours (twenty two of which we were locked in the recital hall) performing non-stop in aid of HVP Nepal.
Writes Max C. (L6)
Our day began outside DT, with a band performance featuring the all-star line-up that were going to be surviving the evening sleepless. This was followed by an unceremonious sprint into the music department by me, in a desperate attempt to keep the music going, and a day featuring ten stellar performances by musicians from across the entire school.
By the quarter, one would imagine that the school had heard quite enough of us, but luckily not! Those passing by the DT department were treated to a gig courtesy of the Taylor’s Funk Soc, with such classics as Herbie Hancock’s ‘Watermelon Man’ stirring up quite a crowd of onlookers.
This was swiftly followed by plenty more in the recital hall, this time thanks to my Lower Sixth music class, performing excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, with myself on continuo, Ben P. singing, Dominic D. on organ, and in a shock to all, Jonah G. on drum kit. Who knew that ‘Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth’ could have such a groovy beat!
Taking the mantle next was the MTS Dixieland band, and swiftly after that, some flute duets from Ms. Isham and Miss Martin.
By the afternoon, you would be right in assuming people had heard more than enough jazz, and so we handed over to the staff band, playing a variety of hits that had even the most stoic of staff and students tapping their feet along.
This is where the challenge began though. Fourteen hours of uninterrupted music with nobody to help us seven, but those staff who had been strong-armed into staying into the small hours, watching as we played the same chord progression for the twenty-third time. However, in a shock to us all, we ended up carrying on the evening with a bit of a karaoke night, courtesy of Miss Green, Mr. Hilton-Dennis, Mrs. Younge, and Ms. Solomons. The endless nature of American Pie perfectly reflected the slightly endless nature of the night ahead of us.
However, the music didn’t stop, with Jonah G. and Aryan D.’s legendary drum battle being hard fought, immediately followed by some slightly calmer piano duets from myself and Dominic D.
The next morning, sleep-deprived, yet uncharacteristically energetic for members of the Sixth Form at MTS, we rounded it all off with a rousing performance of the school song.
I am immensely proud of what we have managed to achieve, thanks to the hard work of students and staff alike. I would like to specifically extend my thanks to Jonah G., Dominic D., Ben P., Ivan N., David A., and Aryan D. for all their help throughout the night, as well as the twelve staff who were kind enough to put up with us through the night, and especially to Mr Willson for his great effort in his help organising the evening.
It is still not too late to donate, and I would urge you to do so at the link below, if you are able. We undertook this gargantuan effort in aid of HVP Nepal UK, aiming to complete their current fundraising goal to install new desks and chairs in two of the HVP schools in Nepal. Having myself seen the effect this money has, I was very grateful to have the opportunity to raise funds for them.
Please use the link below if you would like to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/hazel-hall-1737120980881?newPage=true
