AdamMugridgeTribute

The idea for the concert 'Adam Mugridge, We Remember' was thought of by Shannon Bedford from Robert Smyth's School. She approached the music teachers at Welland Park and asked if they could organise a special music concert in Adam's honour. On Thursday 22nd February, the show was hosted from Welland Park Community College by students from Robert Smyth's and Welland Park, staged in front of a full house!

The reasonably short concert started around 7pm with a speech from Pascal Powell, headmistress of Welland Park. The Awaiting opened the concert with their own composition, 'The First'. With some technical mishaps... Harriet Barber and Felicity Jones followed with a clarinet duet. The Robert Smyth students with their rendition of 'When You Say Nothing At All' by Ronan Keating pleased the crowd! Next, a vocal solo from Welland Park's Bethia Mitchell. She wowed the audience with her performance of the famous 'You've Got A Friend' accompanied by Debbie Thorley on piano. Then, Vita Vents, a fantastic pianist from RS smoothly played 'Gymnopedies No 1' by classical pianist Erik Satie. Soon afterwards, the vocal/instrumental ensemble consiting of Shannon Bedford singing 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol, alongside Josie Marvell on electric guitar, our own Jools Oakland on bass, Matt Compton on drums (also in charge of lighting and sound) and Ollie Frost on piano. Debbie Thorley came on stage once more to play some piano solos. She used to teach Adam, and the solos were Adam's Grade 5 Piano pieces. Which we remember him for playing them restlessly, with style! Edward Crooks performed his cornet solo to the classic 'Danny Boy' by Michael Hopkinson, accompanied again by Debbie Thorley. Next, Sam Keenan, Lizzie Woodcock and Ollie Frost played Sam's own song, 'My Departed Friend'. More technical faults! Shannon, the lady of the hour, came on stage to sing 'A Thousand Miles', her solo owed the crowds again, who had already witnessed a fantastic night of music and performances. Jaz Cox performed a dance to the 'Jitterbug' from the musical 'The Wizard of Oz'. This great foot-stomper got the crowds clapping! The first part of the show closely coming to the end, Jade Feavyour performed her vocal solo of 'Believe' by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestra. The Strangled Cats finished off the Act with the anthem of Adam, 'Don't Stop me Now' by Queen. A fabulous touch to end the forst act of the show on!

Now it was time for the raffle. Charley Allsopp and Kirsty Day came up with the idea of a raffle to raise funds for the Adam'Smile Project. They decided to get in contact with Arsenal FC, Adam's beloved football team, and asked if they could donate anything to the prize fund. And they did. They sent an Arsenal pennant, signed by the entire Arsenal team. A fantastic prize to a fantastic fund! Special thanks to those two who organised the raffle, plus Nikki Burgess who was in charge of Raffle Ticket Sales. Overall, they raised around £4,000 in ticket sales to the Adam'Smile fund.

After the draw was announced, it was back to the show. With only one act left, the Welland Park Year 9 Vocal Ensemble came to the stage to sing 'Sunshine', the popular song written in Adam's memory. Their performance got the tissues out and finished the concert in style! Overall, the night raised a massive £8,000 towards the safe cycle route from Lubenham to Market Harborough. The overall total stands at around £35,000, which is absoloutly AMAZING. The cycle route shouldn't be too far off now!

Special thanks to everyone who helped make the night a great success! Adam's CD is still avalible from ABC Music in Harborough (01858 463144). For more information, visit www.myspace.com/friendsofadammugridge

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