Sound of music

Charity musical show by Our Own English High School, Dubai, receives overwhelming support

The Charity Musical Show, organised by Our Own English High School, Dubai, to raise funds in aid of the Dubai Centre for Special Needs, Al Noor Centre, Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and Red Crescent Society, was staged with much pomp and show in front of a packed audience at the school premises on Thursday.

The three-hour programme of music and dance entitled "Music for a Cause" had the involvement of students, ex-students, parents and staff of the school. Members from the public and business houses helped at large by contributing in cash and kind, helping set up a large stage, a superior sound system and lighting, sponsoring various food stalls and other expenses.

It was a unique gathering. The ambience was apt and the students in the audience were at their best, cheering the performers on stage. The sound of music reverberated throughout the school, in the pleasant evening air.

"Over 400 boys and girls from the school took part in the show," said Geeta Rajagopalan, the cultural co-ordinator and teacher in the girls' section. "It was a great satisfaction to see them perform. They put in a lot of effort."

"We endeavour to inculcate in our children the habit of giving, sharing and helping the less fortunate in the society," said G.S. Madhav Rao, the school principal.

"It has been the vision of Sunny Varkey, our chairman, and has become our philosophy as well. So, every year we organise several fund-raising activities. This is the first of our show. All other schools of the Varkey Group are also participating in some fund-raising activities," he added.

For an ex-student like Payal, DJ of radio station Hum FM, it was a delightful experience to be part of the show.

"It was like coming back home," she said. "It is at this very stage where I first learnt to talk in front of a larger audience and it was a great feeling for me, to compere this show and be of help to my school," she added.

"It was a very good experience," said Vijay Justus, lead singer and Grade XI student. "We were given the chance of trying out on our own."

Chhabbi Sahai, a freelance choreographer and a parent, helped choreograph the dances and also the fashion show by the ex-students.