MUSIC ACADEMY students at Exeter College have been continuing with their fundraising efforts to raise money for the Kesho Charity which enables children from the Kalifi region of Kenya to go to school, with two packed performances at their new city centre venue 26 Queen Street.

Two groups of students, currently studying for their Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance, couldn’t wait to make the most of their new performance space to hold concerts for the good cause. From the Under the Covers and Got it Covered gigs, which were organised by the students as part of a module of their course which focuses on Marketing and Promotion, they raised £250.

Delighted, Exeter College Head of Music Laura Wright said: “Both groups of first-years enthusiastically rose to the challenge. They were very keen to continue our sponsorship of two pupils’ education through Kesho and all the good work originally initiated by our second-year students last year.”

On each night, the students performed their own cover versions of songs by a variety of artists, ranging from Stevie Wonder to the Rolling Stones and Blondie.

Laura continued: “It was really impressive to hear the very different takes on each. It was also a great chance for friends, family, and members of the public who came along to listen to them to see how they are progressing half-way into their first year.”

She added: “The last news from the two Kenyan pupils is that they are doing very well with their studies, and one of them is now also developing a passion for playing football.”
Speaking on behalf of all the students who took part, Music student Sam Stainer, aged 16, of Lympstone, said: “Overall, we thought the gigs went extremely well. We had spent the past five months practicing the songs and organising the events.

“Everyone was given a task to complete that contributed to the success of the gigs. I could tell they enjoyed it, because afterwards we were all eager to start on the next project and do this all over again.

“The atmosphere on the night was one of excitement mixed with nerves beforehand, but after getting on the stage the nerves just disappeared. As I play in a band outside College, I am no stranger to performing in front of an audience. However, for people who have never performed live before, to do so at these concerts was invaluable.”

He added: “As soon as we all heard about the Kesho charity, we felt it was imperative that we began fundraising for it. I think it’s very important to support children in developing countries, and I’m glad we raised as much money as we did.”

Both concerts followed on from the Music Academy Awards night last term where 22-year-old Emanuel Mbaji was the special guest, having travelled to the UK from his native Kenya.

A representative of the Kesho charity – who once benefitted from its support, and as a result is now hoping to go to university in Nairobi – he attended to thank students for their fundraising efforts during the last year and to talk to them about life at the village school which they have helped.

Founded by Kate Noakes, of Okehampton, a former Exeter College student herself, the charity helps pay for transport, particularly as some children live many kilometres from their village school, and provides uniforms, essential equipment, and emergency aid.

Exeter College’s music students sponsor two girls in particular, both called Rehema, who write letters to Laura and the students supporting them to keep them up-to-date with their academic progress.