By Mr Keating-Roberts (Director of Music)

Thursday 14th November marked the return of the collaborative Open Mic Night between BGS and Bedford School for 2023 in support of Movember, hosted at Bedford School. The event consistently generates a wonderfully warm atmosphere, providing our students with the perfect platform to share music and showcase their talents.

I'm always impressed by the diverse range of musical performances, spanning from Nirvana to Michael Bublé, and the remarkable efforts of the student team that organised the event. They handled everything from setting up lights, staging, and sound equipment to creating chillout zones with cosy armchairs, transforming the venue into a chic bar.

The students delivered fantastic performances, buoyed by the support and appreciation of the audience. Witnessing the confidence displayed by all the performers was truly impressive, and they should feel immensely proud of their accomplishments.

Reflecting on the event, Lower Sixth students Lauren Blower, Polly Taylor, Mel Rasool, and Kaila Hill shared their thoughts:

"It was really enjoyable to witness the coming together of students from both schools to support such an amazing cause. The music showcased a great variety, ranging from smooth jazz to rap. The atmosphere, adorned with funky lighting and a bustling crowd, felt relaxed and incredibly fun to be a part of.

"The management of the acts was seamless, ensuring a constant flow of entertainment. The venue was ideal for the event, creating a cool vibe. We were treated to numerous performances from BGS students, including the Lower Sixth rock bands Counteract and Astrophe, as well as captivating solo performances from Alice Toone and Fiza Hasnain, among others. We're already looking forward to next year!"