Music For Musicians raises $5,000 to help school music programs
Published Wednesday October 8th, 2008
A red-hot passion for music set the Southern Victoria stage on fire and licked at the audience with its flames on Wednesday, Oct. 1. From Grade 4 students who jiggled and bopped as they boomed out the chorus to The Lonesome Road to the rocking, thumping final numbers performed by Matt Anderson, Jens Jeppesen and the Hupman Brothers, the "Music for Musicians" benefit concert at Southern Victoria High School was an overwhelming success.
"I just wanted to let you know, we've done an approximate count and we've raised over $5,000," an excited Denise Budrow, music teacher at Andover Elementary School, and an organizer of the concert, declared to a roar of applause from the crowd.
The concert was held to raise money for the music programs at Andover Elementary, Perth-Andover Middle School and Southern Victoria High School. Budrow noted she was brainstorming for fundraising ideas when she thought of Matt Anderson and wondered if he would consider performing a benefit concert. She sent him a quick e-mail and was ecstatic when he promptly replied with an enthusiastic "yes".
"I just want you all to know all the performers here tonight are donating their time and we can't thank them enough," Budrow exclaimed.
Singer-songwriter Jens Jeppesen of New Denmark came on board along with Scott and Ryan Hupman. Performers from the elementary, middle and high schools also got involved and had the thrill of getting to know and share the stage with the accomplished musicians.
In his easy-going style, Anderson said he was happy to give his time in support of Southern Victoria music programs.
"I owe pretty much everything I have right now to the music program here and to Mr. (Dave) Eagan (former music teacher at SVHS, now retired)," Anderson commented.
The Bairdsville native says he embraces the opportunity to perform in his hometown.
"Whenever I come back here you give me such a warm welcome," he told the audience.
The concert began with Grade 4 students from AES singing We're Ready and joining Matt Anderson to sing Lonesome Road. Grade 5 students picked up rhythm sticks and shakers to perform We're Making Music and joined Matt for If I Can't Have You. Anderson smiled as he watched the youngsters file off the stage.
"I don't remember being that talented or that cute when I was in Grade 4," he quipped. "I don't remember being that small either!"
Anderson's song Wagon Wheel was brought to the audience by middle school musicians Lauren Titus on vocals and guitar, Morgyn Eccleston-Malm on vocals and Tye Pirie on shaker.
High school band musicians Carson Kennedy on drums, Bradley McPhail on bass and an electrifying Adam Tattersall on lead guitar joined Matt Anderson and the Hupman Brothers for a blazing rendition of Tush by ZZ Top. The pace was slowed back down for Matt Anderson's duet with high school singer Rebecca Hatheway on the gentle tune Lay Down with Me.
High school vocalist Eric Hatheway was next up to the microphone with Melissa Fitzherbert on acoustic guitar and Delaney Miller on electric guitar. The trio were joined by Matt and the Hupmans for One Size Never Fits.
MC Trevor Francis praised the student performers and the music teachers who encourage them.
"I know I owe a lot to the music program here. Music has been a second career for me," Francis, who donates his time regularly to musical activities at local schools, commented.
After the intermission, the stage belonged to Jeppesen, Anderson and the Hupman Brothers. Jeppesen filled the gymnasium with rich vocals and poetic lyrics, performing some of his favourites including an ode to the bonds of musical brotherhood in I Miss My Friends. Anderson gifted the audience with When My Angel Gets the Blues and a selection from a recently recorded CD that he said should be available by Christmas. When his soaring vocals on Hold Me with Both Hands prompted a wave of applause from the audience, Anderson couldn't resist a comment.
"I guess all I have to do to win you over is sing like a girl!" he joked.
After his solo numbers, Anderson was joined again by the Hupman Brothers and Jeppesen for the Rolling Stones classic You Can't Always Get Want You Want and the The Band's 1968 anthem The Weight (Take a Load Off, Fanny). The audience poured out its appreciation with roars of applause and a standing ovation.
Music teachers Budrow along with her counterparts Sarah Francoeur of SVHS and Kristin Bragdon of PAMS were glowing with the success of the evening and said they hope the fundraiser can become an annual event. The money will be used to buy much-needed musical instruments and supplies at the schools.
The fundraising total was bolstered by a $500 donation from the organizing committee of the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo held in August. The outdoor musical event was also a celebration of local talent and included many of the performers that were involved in the benefit concert.
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