50th Celebrations
On Friday 25th November 2011, Limavady High School showcased a 50th Anniversary Concert in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. The evening featured music, songs and dances from previous school shows. Not only were current pupils taking part, but past pupils joined as well in celebrating the school’s 50th birthday.
All through the week the public visited an exhibition of memorabilia organised by History Teacher, Mr George Dallas. The display was major success with people spotting old school friends in group photos that they hadn’t seen in years!
I had the privilege of opening the concert singing a song called ‘Twist’. This was the theme song of the 2000 musical ‘Twist’, written by David Dunlop. Singers and dancers also joined me on stage to ‘twist’ to this catchy tune. Chris McFetridge starred in the original show which was staged back in 2000; incidentally Chris is now LHS’s Moving Image Arts technician; at least we know where his artistic roots originated from!
Rhonda Robinson was next on stage singing two songs from ‘The Hunger’ (1997) and ‘The Fairy Thorn’ (1999). Rhonda has a beautiful voice and starred in Mr Dunlop’s first two shows. She now teaches in the Roe Valley Integrated Primary School, passing on her musical passion to the younger generation of pupils.
We then travelled back to 1991 to the shows of Billy Carruthers and Reggie McCay, with ex-pupil Tanya McMichael returning to sing the theme song from ‘Oklahoma’. Iola McCaul and her friends then gave us a 2011 version of ‘Moonshine Lullaby’ from ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, a beautiful performance.
Limavady High School is renowned for the quality of its shows throughout the years, a reputation for excellent singing and drama; however dance should not be forgotten about. ‘King of the Fairies’, a stylish Irish Dance piece from our 2004 production of ‘O’Donnell’s Daughter’ was next. Former pupil Jenny Hunt returned to the school yet again to choreograph this with some of LHS’s talented Irish dancers.
During the interval, the audience members browsed around the exhibition, remembering snapshots from the past such as when Prince Philip landed in the playground by helicopter to open the building’s new extension.
Back into the auditorium, Head of the Language Department, Miss Alison McVea embraced her 2006 role from ‘Gracie’s Diary’ to sing ‘An Ulster Fry’. This catchy song was obviously a band favourite. Former pupil Rory Clements returned to lead the band, along with Roger Patterson on drums, Heather Montgomery on fiddle and our new Music Teacher, Miss Lucy Kerr on piano and harp. Mr Neil Withers who also played guitar in the band, watched on as two of the stars from his first show ‘Cafe Rosenheim’ (2010) re-enacted their roles from the snowy winter of last year. Alix Cooper and Emma Donnell returned from University to remind the audience of their amazing singing talents and Mr Wither’s successful first show; watch this space 2012!
Year 9 pupil Brandon McAleese sang the beautiful song, ‘Where is Love’ from the musical ‘Oliver’ (1994). This went down a treat with the audience and cast members. Surely not the last we hear of Brandon!
The Trenches Dance from ‘The Hiring Fair’ was one of the highlights of the whole evening. The dance which featured the talents of the Year 12 Dance class was exceptionally moving! The dramatic dance featured two best friends who were fighting together in the First World War, a story of sacrifice and disaster.
The finale of the night drew near as former pupil Alison Burton joined me on stage to sing ‘Oh Suzanna’ from ‘Liberty Blues’ (2002). As anyone who was there on the evening would confirm, Alison’s voice is powerful! Her performance of “By the Riverside” from the same show was breath-taking. The concert ended with the Gospel classic, ‘Oh Happy Day’ sung by past pupil Nicola Doran and the chorus.
Produced by Mrs Janet Loughery, this evening showcased Limavady High School’s true talent of music, vocal strength and dance. Fifty years after the doors of the Limavady Intermediate School opened, who could have predicted that such a legacy was to begin? Limavady High School’s funding for the specialist status in the Arts is now over, but the talent of the school will continue on forever! The school’s motto of ‘Virtus Sola Nobilitat’ really does portray the ethos of this 50 year old school; if you are honourable and honest in what you do, you will be rewarded in every way which will enlighten and influence your life! The past pupils who returned for this concert, including Amy Nutt, Scott Smyth, Ryan Crown and others really portrayed the strength of the pupil staff relationship in Limavady High School.
As a footnote to this report, Limavady High School’s Headteacher Mr David Dunlop retires during this school year. His influence on the Arts will always be remembered and recognised. Mr Dunlop continued the tradition, begun by the late Mr John Wylie, of writing original musical dramas for the school, a tradition now being taken on by Neil Withers. On behalf of the Student Leadership Team and all the current and past pupils of the school, we thank Mr Dunlop for his massive contribution throughout the years. He will not be forgotten and we will look forward to his future visits to Limavady High School.
Connor Richmond, Student Vice President, Limavady High School
Comments (3)