MUSIC 81
Leavers’ Concert
After another two months of Omniabsence writing and gigging in a variety of Bristol venues, came the next round, as probably the most out and out rowdy rock ‘n’ roll venue in England, Middlesex’s Beck Theatre played host to the area final. From the initial ten thousand entrants there were now about two hundred. A more professional set up this time, ‘Omni’ successfully sound checked and after a solid performance, the inevitable waiting was in order before the results: at last some time for revision! Although not successful, the venture was thoroughly enjoyable and a great experience none the less. After all, The Who never won anything!
Omniabsence continue to perform, although the departure of bassist Jack O’Dea to university means the dreaded hunt for a new member from September 2011.
I encourage all of you, however advanced you are on an instrument, be it the flute or electric guitar, to form a band, doing what you enjoy whilst meeting new like-minded people and even making a dollar or two out of it! And in the words of Viv Savage: ‘Have a good time. All the time’.
Jack O’Dea
The Leavers’ Concert is an event that is greatly anticipated by performers, staff, parents and their friends as it is the final concert in a formal setting for the leavers of QEH before they devote their attention to studying.
As far as musical prowess goes, this year was no exception as the QEH Jazz Band kicked off the proceedings energetically, boasting arguably the finest line-up the band has ever seen. Following this, the Acapella Choir, comprising students and staff, singing Don’t Worry, Be Happy brought smiles to the faces and irresistible whistling to the lips of the audience. The Jazz Quintet delighted too, playing through Joy of Spring and Nica’s Dream while the Saxophone Group created the cool and chilled atmosphere with which Jazz is associated. Thus was concluded the superb first half of the evening.
After a brief interval, the recently re-formed Soul Band restarted the show with sing-along favourites Celebration and Car Wash. Then the Leavers’ Band performed the suitably named Time by Pink Floyd which brought to mind the importance of making the most of time, as the leavers will no doubt look back very fondly on their time at QEH and perhaps wonder where it has gone. The Jazz Band brought the evening full circle with a reflective and emotional performance of Somewhere Beyond the Sea, a complex, unpredictable and sprawling Tribute to Miles before finally, as tradition dictates, the fast, feverish Choo Choo Ch’Boogie with each member of the band taking a twelve bar solo.
This year the QEH Music Department waves goodbye to four leavers. George Bamber, who has recently achieved Grade 8 Singing with Distinction, has lent his marvellous voice to all kinds of music during his years at QEH, from acoustic rock to comedy rock and from classical to choral music; his talents will be sorely missed. Then there is Jack O’Dea, who is renowned for his knowledge and skill with a guitar, having played at every Unplugged concert in a notorious double act with George.
He has also won Best Guitarist and Best Band categories in The Battle of the Bands and, as the bassist in the Jazz Band for two years, his boots will certainly be difficult to fill. Also leaving this year is Jon Parsonage, who has on every occasion delivered mesmerising and mature performances beyond his years as the singer of the Jazz Band, also as a member of the School Choir and as winner of Battle of the Bands’ Best Musician and Best Band. Yet most memorable of all is his Dylanesque song writing capability. To all of my fellow leavers I wish every success and pray that they continue to find and make music wherever they go in the future.
In the end the Leavers’ Concert is never just about the leavers, but about showcasing those who will take the reins of QEH music next year. I congratulate every performer on the night for the all the time and effort they put in to deliver this polished show and my thanks must go, on behalf of all of the boys, to Mr. Gent, to Russ Cope and to all members of staff involved in making the evening the success it was.
James Parsonage
(Mention must be made of James’ performances at the concert which helped to make the evening such a memorable success. His confident and charismatic approach to the guitar proved mesmerising in several contexts, while his vocals with the Soul Band were worthy of Detroit in its heyday. An incredibly pleasant and modest guy on and off stage, James will be sorely missed in the music department and in the school and we wish him success with future bands and other musical challenges. EC)
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