Rock Night is always a popular date in the school calendar, so it was wonderful to see it return to The Quarry Theatre on Tuesday 26 April after a two-year absence due to the pandemic. Boys from Bedford School came together with girls from Bedford Girls’ School to showcase their musical talents, putting on a varied programme for the crowd, and at the same time raising funds for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal.
The tiered seating of the theatre was pushed back to provide standing room for the audience, and it soon transformed to a bustling dance floor once the music was underway. Proceedings began with a rousing, upbeat set from Funk Band, with their mix of electric guitars, keyboards, drum kit, male and female lead vocalists and a host of trumpets, saxophones and trombones. They played a variety of songs, but it was their version of Michael Jackson’s Thriller that got the audience hitting the dance floor in their droves.
The evening continued with a fantastic variety of sets – from stripped back solo vocalists on keyboard, through to a performance of the Final Countdown with a very New Romantic twist, and even a heavy rock set from The Monitorship. There was definitely something for everyone to enjoy. Even staff got involved, with Mr Peters singing Spandau Ballet’s Gold, accompanied by a band formed of our boys.
To round off the night, DJ Gabriel and DJ Charlie played sets that made sure the dancefloor was packed right until it was time to head home.
Music Teacher Mr Rooke, who oversaw the event, told us, “I was delighted with quality of the performances; the bands worked the lively audience who sang and danced along with great support all night. A highlight was watching some of the bands performing with mixed groups from both Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School and culminating in some of the senior monitors playing a heavy Rock set towards the end. From observing the dance floor during the DJ sets, social-distancing seemed a distance memory; in previous years, this was a much-missed social event and celebration of live music. It was a great team effort from both supervising staff and the students who operated the show.”
Hats off to all of the performers, and also to the Charities Committee members, who did an excellent job of selling drinks and taking additional donations for the Red Cross Ukraine appeal. This, together with ticket sale proceeds, raised a tremendous £641.40.
