A Night to Remember By stevemac Published: Thursday 20th December, 2007 PrintEmail
It was a cold and wet night of Thursday December 6th 2007; the dark skies threatened a treacherous evening. It was not what you expect would be an ideal evening to host a social event. However, the comforting warmth that beckoned from the Blackheath Rugby Club was enough to invite anyone inside, let alone parents and guardians of the talented musicians that were due to perform. Inside the hall itself a table at the back was lined festively with mince pies, crisps, wine and soft drinks; row upon row of chairs began next to it. At the very end of the hall stood an empty stage, waiting for a musician or three to nervously toy with the plectrum between their fingers and begin to fill the hall with music.
Amongst the chairs and the wires were four people desperately trying to make the hall as friendly and as neat as possible; one man hurriedly tuning and re-tuning the guitars, one woman arranging the wine bottles in an orderly fashion, one boy sitting on a chair looking cool and a final girl acting the photographer and getting the camera ready. These four people are the McHiggins family, and this is my, speaking as Sophie McHiggins the photographer, review of what I consider, a night to remember.
After a moment’s panic and a hurried word of concern with my mother about the number of chairs, the performance began with a flourish. Whilst the present musician occupied the stage at the front, the parents and guardians sat themselves comfortably down the right side of the hall whilst the musicians stood around the bar, sharing sneaky looks, containing their excitement and fighting off their nervousness.
The hall was filled with strumming; the musicians covering everything from Christmas Carols to Queen hits. As the photographer, I was looking for the right expression, the right position to capture – and I can safely say it was extremely difficult due to the talent that drew me in. Nonetheless, it was fascinating to watch a flow of notes through a lens. In between each piece Steve moved swiftly around the stage, detangling wires, adjusting volumes and filling the silence with humorous yet relevant comments whilst Irena acted the host and passed about mince pies to the proud parents. Without a break the performance lasted a good hour and a half; an hour and a half of a musical display of hard work. Whilst observing the musicians playing I took the time to look at everyone else, study their inspired faces. I realised how as a society, and as a present community, we are joined in understanding by music.
When the performance came to an end the hall changed from ringing with chords to a ringing of applause. At the end, after an explanation of Notre Dame School and how the proceeds would go to them, Steve took the time to say a few words. He, naturally, thanked the audience for turning up but with true deep meaning then thanked the young musicians. Inside, I knew us present were also joined in understanding once more – we were also thanking Steve. Thanking him for a night to remember.
