Old Boys Band Showcase: A Night to Remember

On November 30th, 2023 at the Rossy Agora, Alex Becker, music teacher and Head of the Arts Department, made magic happen by bringing together the Old Boys' Band once again for the first time since 2018. Mr. Becker's opening remarks emphasized that the band was composed of individuals from various years and graduating classes, with a 42-year age gap between the oldest and youngest members, united by “their love of music.” The newly adopted event format featured special guest performers, adding a new level of excitement to the musical experience.

 

The Old Boys’ Band showcased their musical versatility playing jazz, latin, blues and rock hits and left the audience with an unforgettable experience. This year, the group welcomed two new members, Imtiyaz Bandali '20 and Sam Gold '78, who invited his friend Bonnie to perform with the already talented group. Together, they rocked out to classic covers like “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King and “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin with the accompaniment of Old Boy Band members. The addition of a vocalist offered a unique spin on the evening, providing a variety of music genres in one show. The performance also featured Gael, a current student and Sr. Jazz band member, who played drums on a few songs including “The Chicken” by Pee Wee Ellis, alongside his older brother Luca Parnas-Zver ‘21 on bass guitar. Mr. Becker pointed out that this particular song was one most band members would recognize from their time in SHS music classes. Retired headmaster and Honorary Old Boy Hal Hannaford also joined in on the fun, rocking the drums.

 

It was not only a night of fantastic music but also a celebration of the school's community spirit. A diverse audience of alumni, current students, parents, and staff came together to enjoy the music, support the musicians and make a donation to the performing arts at SHS. The event was a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. The buzz is already building for the next Old Boys’ Band event in the spring, which promises to be even bigger and better.

 

Old Boys Band Members: Sam Gold ’78, Charles Bierbrier ’93, Ben Palevsky ’09, Daniel Rosenthal ’12, Jordan Kruger ’13, Jeffrey Lehberg ’14, Imtiyaz Bandali ’20, Luca Parnas-Zver ’21, Hal Hannaford

 

To watch the full performance, Old Boys and parents can log into the SelwynConnect portal and click on the “Resources” folder.