6 years ago, an old shipping container at Parmiter’s was transformed into a fully-fledged band studio known as the ‘Jam Jar’, which has provided a platform for students to rehearse in student-led groups, including the Frontier - the oldest student-led band at Parmiter’s.
Fast forward to Friday 8th November, the audience were introduced to ‘Plugged In’; a fun, electric evening jam-packed with musical and dance performances, thanks to a collaboration between Parmiter’s Creativity Committee and the Music Department.
I was fortunate enough to interview Yusuph Choudhury (sixth-former, Creativity Committee Prefect and lead drummer of the Frontier) who led the organisation behind the event.
Inspiration for the concert came from the Band Development Programme, which was founded by the Frontier in September, to enable students across all year groups to perform in various student-led bands.
“I wanted to provide the bands in Parmiter's Band Development Programme with the opportunity to perform live, which had never been done before,” said Yusuph, who held auditions and currently mentors 7 bands alongside the other members of the Frontier.
“Thus, preparation began almost six months ago. Mr Bates, director of music, actually came up with the name [‘Plugged In’]!”
Although (from the audience’s perspective) the overall performance of many concerts are almost effortless, Yusuph explained how this inaugural production consisted of countless planning behind the scenes: “I had to ensure everything from the theme of the concert to the technical logistics was in place.
“It was exciting to collaborate with teachers, students, and other performers to curate a lineup that would showcase the diversity of talents in our school.
“I worked closely with the sound and lighting teams, and it was rewarding to see our collective ideas come to life.
“Managing the schedule and ensuring everyone had sufficient practice time required a lot of coordination, but it taught me valuable lessons about leadership and problem-solving.”
The build-up to this event was considered a bit of a “logistical nightmare” with challenges such as “liaising with the music department to make sure we had all the instruments and the sound / lighting engineer to make sure we had a wonderful production.
“I would lie if I said it was not a tad stressful—for I thrive on stress!”
However, a “fantastic team of 45 people” (consisting of the Frontier, the logistics team / members of the creativity committee and the media group) also assisted on the day: from setting up the area for the evening; to moving the necessary equipment on and offstage; and cheering on all of the performers backstage.
As someone who was a member of the logistics team, the atmosphere was absolutely amazing and it was a real treat to see a range of incredible acts performing!
Performances included: the percussion ensemble; solos; duets; various bands comprising the Frontier as well as the other student-led bands; and dance acts ranging from contemporary to Bollywood.
Yusuph commented on how the atmosphere backstage was an array of nerves and excitement, but in the eyes of a performer, “stepping onto the stage felt magical.
“The audience’s energy was infectious, and it gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment to see people enjoying what we had worked so hard to create.
“My own performance was a blend of adrenaline and focus—I had poured so much heart into it, and it felt amazing to connect with the audience through my art.”
Throughout the evening, there were an abundance of memorable moments, and when asked about his favourite performance, Yusuph said it was difficult to pick one: “I think all the bands did incredibly well, considering it was their first performance, but I would not be doing my duty if I did not give a big shout-out to my band—the biggest, best, oldest, and most popular band at Parmiter’s—The Frontier!”
Some of Yusuph’s other favourite parts were: “seeing the audience’s shock and awe when the surprise act came on; seeing Mr Jones (our headmaster) pulling off some dapper dancing when my band were performing Smells Like Teen Spirit; having parents coming up to me, thanking me and wanting their sons’ / daughters’ pictures with me; and last but not least, seeing everyone backstage be so mature, organised and calm - ready to sort any problems or issues that may arise.
“They are all natural professionals; myself and Mr Jones are fortunate to have them!”
Overall, Yusuph explained how the event taught him about the importance of many skills such as preparation, teamwork and staying calm under pressure as both a leader and a performer.
“It was more than just a concert; it was a shared memory that brought joy to everyone involved.”
The Parmiter’s band culture has a bright future, and Yusuph hopes the concert will become a “tradition that continues forward for years to come!”
