F.C.J. Orchestra - End of an Era

On Friday the 13th (true story), an era came to an end in F.C.J.; the last students to have bared witness to the manic genius that was Mr. Gearoid Grant played their final concert in the uniform of questionably green taste.

The concert was undoubtedly our best performance, not necessarily for the orchestra, but for the several side projects put together entirely by us the students, such as the fantastic Choral Group; singing Dog Days by Florence & The Machine, which was put together by the magnificently talented Hannah Deacon. (Bonus points for us learning that song in 2 hours the day before surely?)
Next up was the Jazz Group, arranged and sort of conducted by Chris Redmond, with our 'alternate' interpretation of Nina Simone's Feelin' Good. A (small) mention for the Trad Group too I suppose.

But this night wasn't really about the performance, this night was about the 6th years, who shall soon be departing and separating. I have the pleasure of truthfully saying I got to spend 6 years with a group of outstandingly talented and versatile people, I've beheld rip-roaring sax groups, hauntingly beautiful Irish airs and had some amazing jam sessions with the Drum and Bass section. It was never always about the music though, it was about the time spent together and the laughs we shared on those weekday evenings.

We were a group of distinct people in those far off days of first year, but heralded into a small music room by the chaos incarnate Grant, we soon melded together for fear of him singling us out, we were the last of such groups to be hazed in his amazing way, I pity the next couple of year groups behind us, they never had that shared experience, they appear worse off for it.

We went halfway across the world with each other and not a bad thought was shared between us, we're one great big, slightly weird, family. We took America by storm (okay maybe a strong breeze), but it was our time together there that made the trip, that picture on Time Square, Bohemian Rhapsody on the bus, Paul the bus driver. The memories will live forever.

So I guess this is a lament, a eulogy, a goodbye, we may never share the performing stage as a group together, but I hope though we go our separate ways we may always be a special group on that ever changing stage of life. I'll miss you guys.

Over and out.