Music at the MADD Fest

Did you know that BIS doesn’t use a traditional school bell? None of that harsh clanging for us, thank you. Instead, a beautifully composed piece of music plays over the speakers at the end of each class period, and that in itself should give you some idea of how musically inclined our school is. If you want a clearer picture, and as the kids say, want your “mind blown”, allow us to take you through this year’s musical performances at the MADDFEST.

Our ES, MS and HS Friday Jam bands have entertained us through the year, and it was only fitting that they took the stage at the MADDFEST, too. They belted out pop rock and contemporary numbers so well that you’d be forgiven for thinking that these budding musicians were professionals. They were followed by the Singing Club, a unique club that truly demonstrates the BIS spirit of inclusion; it doesn’t hold any auditions, and doesn’t expect you to be able to hold a note either. The Singing Club welcomes anyone who wants to join, and teaches vocal basics in the belief that everyone deserves to experience the joy of music. Their rendition of numbers like Beautiful Sunday by Daniel Boone and Top of the World by the Carpenters was a big hit.

The audience was in for another treat when the stage was overrun by the massive ES and MS Children’s Choir. All seventy-five members of the choir performed a rousing Disney medley with old favourites like ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ from The Lion King, ‘Under the Sea’ from The Little Mermaid and ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Moana. If that wasn’t enough to lift the spirits, STOMP came next with their fantastic percussion act in which they use ordinary objects and their bodies to hammer out amazing rhythms. Back for the fifth year in a row, STOMP didn’t disappoint and enthralled the sudience with music made from coffee cups, suitcases and newspapers. However, the highlight was them stomping in a construction site with actual workmen’s tools!

By the time Wiplash, the MS band took the stage the audience was in a musical zone that can best be described as rapturous! One great song after the other; Piano Man by Billy Joel, Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder and Queen’s Under Pressure and We Are the Champions had the audience up on their feet. In a bittersweet moment, grade 12 took to the BIS stage for the last time to perform Bohemian Rhapsody, and did complete justice to the Queen classic. Our HS band, The Fungies didn’t disappoint either, and gave the audience a taste of their incredible versatility by putting up a medley of songs that ranged from the sixties all the way to the contemporary music scene.

The next performance was one of the most anticipated acts of the evening- India’s one and only ukulele orchestra, The Ukefellas! The audience was prepared for a fun and entertaining act from the beloved Ukufellas but the sheer range of their covers, from jazz to pop to classical music, had everyone in awe. We’re proud to say that their fame has travelled far and wide, and they’ve been invited to tour the US next year!

The last performance was another unique ensemble that only BIS can produce; a xylophone orchestra. About twenty MS students took to the stage, and played a number of famous songs on their standard xylophones and proved without a doubt that you don’t need fancy equipment to capture the soul of music. And that, in essence, was the general tone and tenor of that evening; the BIS family showing up in full force to cheer on our students’ love for music!