SLGS’ FINEST MUSICAL TALENT PRODUCES VIRTUAL CONCERT IN AID OF SCIENCE LABS RENOVATION
On 29th November 2020, SLGS alumni around the world met online at a free virtual music concert organized to raise funds for the School. It was a night of holiday Christmas music, live band performances, classical music, poetry, games and pure fun to celebrate the 175 year anniversary. It was indeed the first of its kind ever to be organized by a Sierra Leonean diaspora School alumni group.
Where there is a will there’s a way. Despite the Covid pandemic inhibiting our ability to meet physically as we did in times past, we decided to organize this virtual event which proved to be equally fun, if not more. The SLGS global Alumni chapters – Old Boys’ Union Sierra Leone, USA South East, USA Washington DC Metro, USA West Coast, USA North East, Old Boys’ Association UK – came together to raise funds for renovating our science labs, inviting all alumni and friends to attend the virtual concert and donate to the cause.
The goal of this event was to raise $25,000 to support needed facilities development, renovations and ongoing maintenance needs at the School. At the end of the event a total of $20,000 had been raised out of the initial target, to be used on the science lab renovation. The science building, which houses six labs, is in a very bad state and in desperate need of repairs. There is no source of electricity or running water, the windows are broken and the roof leaks badly whenever it rains. Clearly, this is not the kind of environment to nurture our young scientists. We initiated a campaign, which included this event, to restore the science buliding in collaboration with the global alumni community, the PTA and the School board.
To make this event successful, some alumni also gave their time for free and worked together toget this event off the ground. A core team of organizers, performers and technical experts made sure the event ran smoothly online.
Some of the musicians performing included, in no particular order, Cassius Akaje Macauley, Marvin Thompson, Samuel Adekunle Horton, Ebenezer Olufemi Fowler, Prince Eleady Cole, Leon Lewis Nicol, Peter Snell, Mark Hunter, Kindo Shek Kamara, Donald Kaye, Gwyn Allen, Derek Vincent, Marvin Thompson, Cecil Jones, as well as the SLGS Band. William During, the son of the legendary Chris During, who was also a product of SLGS and a celebrated entertainer, was present to entertain us on the night.
Special shout out to Calude Conteh who went above and beyond to ensure that the official “I’m a Regentonian” tune was recorded and ready for this event. He demonstrated the true spirit of a Regentonian as he himself captures in the song.
Click on image to view all performances.
Amidst the music performances and dancing was a stunning spoken word rendition from Akindele Decker as well as some nostalgic games – Ar die, Touch, Pombo and more that were played at the SLGS back in the day!
This is how a group of alumni came together to raise funds for the Science lab renovation andother ongoing investment projects. We can all do something in our own small way to raise funds to help the School. If you’d like to support, donate or find out more, contact stemcampaign@slgs.edu.sl or visit the School and talk to the team.
