The short walk from Crumpton Street to the Frank Collymore Hall at the Central Bank last weekend brought over a star-studded cast of past and present students, with the aid of some friends, to put on a show that must have made former principal Albert Williams and former music teacher Janice Millington-Robertson look down and say “music must play” (in the words of Adrian Boo Husbands).
From Adrian Greene’s spoken word artistry through Ayana John’s rock-tinged repertoire to Smokey Burke’s calypso treasury, add the school’s steel band, recorder ensemble, orchestra and string quartet, the fundraiser, titled Mosaic: classics tuk jazz, showcased how one school’s music programme can bring together an immense wealth of talent.
No fault could be found of any of the acts – even though the show lasted three and a half hours. Fingers cannot be pointed at any standout acts – it was that pleasurable.
But, of course, special mention must be made.
NIFCA award winner Joshua Gay’s duet with Oluwayomi Oredein of Let It Be raised goosebumps and deserved the sustained applause.
