Alumni Re-launch

On Friday 29 July 2006 the SP Alumni had its re-launch in the form of a jazz party at the school hall. It was a night to remember!

From about 7.30 onwards they came, some looking vaguely familiar, some instantly recognisable  (albeit with a few extra kilos, or heads with no hair or grey hair or hair desperately clinging onto semi-bald pates), some of them complete strangers (or were they?). They were greeted at the door by Deidrė Bastian and other members of the Committee, and then they made their way to their tables of choice. Quite noticeable was the way the ex-students of 50’s, 60’s and 70’s vintage sat on one side, and those of the 80’s and 90’s on the other!

The evening was kicked off by the MC for the evening, SP’s very own jazz aficionado and media personality – Gary van Dyk! Gary spoke with great passion about what it meant to be back at the old school, at a gathering of alumni in a celebration of jazz (and opera, but more of that later!). The first music set was presented by the school’s jazz band, which has now evolved into two – one consisting only of present students, the other of past and present. The lead female vocalist was Lauren de Klerk, who recently won the first prize in a singing competition at the Blue Route Mall. The SP band set the hall buzzing with their highly professional and very impressive renditions of a few jazz favourites.

After the keynote speech by Quinton Summers, Chairman of the Alumni Association, the audience was privileged to be entertained for 20 minutes or so by the ex-student formerly known as Cecil Stevens, then George Stevens, and now – based as he is in Europe – Giorgio (it’s almost as bad as TAFKAP!*)! Cecil, as most SP’ites will remember him, is a trained opera singer and has been based for the past few years in Germany, where he is part of the National Opera. As he himself said, this is a far cry from performing ‘Mona Lisa, kyk wie’s hiesa’ at Wynberg High’s Abbey Hall in the school’s variety show! My own favourite recollection is of Cecil in an SP variety show at the Luxurama, singing ‘Spanish Eyes’. I had wondered at the time why he stayed on one side of the stage, until I found out later that someone was standing in the wings holding a page with the words written on! Cecil treated us to a few light classical favourites, and ended with a stirring rendition of the school song – the way it should be sung. 

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a plaque dedicated by the Alumni Association Executive to all the former and present teachers of the school. Mr Moerat was asked to say a few words. He said the establishment of the Alumni Association in SP’s own hall was ‘a dream come true’.

This was followed by what for many was the musical highlight of the evening – a performance by the multi-talented Hilton Schilder and three of his friends, drummer Jack Momplė (formerly of Pacific Express), Steven Erasmus (ex-Mahogany, among others) and the guitar genius Mac Mackenzie (Genuines). They played a selection of original and cover songs, starting with a composition which featured Hilton playing a traditional San instrument. Gary accompanied them on flute for one or two tunes, adding vocals on Bill Withers’ ‘Ain’t no Sunshine’.

Later on, the duo Take Two helped the gathered crowd to dance the night away, into the early hours of the next morning. On this most successful evening, with the purpose being to stir the interest of ex-students and to encourage them to become paying, signed-up members of the Alumni Association, over 450 people, the vast majority ex-students, enjoyed meeting old friends, reminiscing about old times, exchanging email addresses and cellphone numbers and vowed to return to the same venue on Saturday 24 September for the Heritage Day Jazz Party.

Visit the Alumni website at www.spalumni.co.za for Alumni news and activities.