Highfields’ virtual alumni concert featuring global superstar, Beverley Knight, has raised £1,000 for NHS workers.
The school’s Lyceum Theatre was transformed into a makeshift TV studio for the Lockdown Live Lounge alumni concert, which saw the soul singer and other talented former Highfields students perform from their homes.
The concert was available to watch live for free on the school’s YouTube Channel, but generous staff, students and parents donated money through our online Box Office for the NHS Relief Fund.
Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Extra-Curricular Performance who presented the concert live from the Lyceum, said: “I had been hoping to organise an alumni concert for a while, and was delighted that so many of our talented former students agreed to perform in our Live Lockdown concert to spread a message of hope and love.
“Although our live-streamed concert was free to watch on our school YouTube channel, we gave people the opportunity to donate money for the NHS Relief Fund. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of people, helping us to raise £1,000 to support frontline NHS workers in the fight against Covid-19.
“It was a fantastic evening of top quality entertainment. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful performers, as well as everyone who watched and donated.”
Bursting onto the camera to open the concert, Beverley - who often publicly credits Highfields for encouraging her to nurture the phenomenal voice and musical talent that has seen her become one of the world’s most celebrated and loved singers - said: “I am so excited to be singing for you guys, all my Highfields crew!”
The three-time MOBO Award winner performed a stunning version of Colored Woman, from Memphis the Musical, in which has previously starred in the West End, and closed the concert with her own song, Keep This Fire Burning.
She was joined in the virtual concert by West End stars Harveen Mann, Tom Xander and Simbi Akande, as well as a number of more recent Highfields leavers, including Jessica Burgess, Jacob Kholi, Jess Olford and Jordannne Farley-Moss.
For more information about the NHS Relief Fund, click here. The concert is still available to watch on our YouTube Channel, and donations can still be made to the NHS Relief Fund here.
