Because there isn’t anything special to do on a Thursday night in the lovely town of Hilversum, well maybe study or hang back a bit. And I help around where I can in my school’s sound and light support, I got to witness the first time our school play was performed. And yes I know, school plays probably aren’t that exciting except for the parents and grandparents of the children who actually play in it. Never the less it was a great play.

The combination between the orchestra, band and singers was something truly amazing. For someone like me, who can’t play any instrument decently nor sing, expected the same from the guys in my class. But then, I guess it was halfway the play, some classmate walked on the stage. Someone I only saw as a guy you could have a laugh, talk or a beer with. But as he said his first line he immediately owned the stage and hearts of every spectator. His voice was incredible. It was a pure, high-pitched voice that was absolutely perfect for the parts he had to sing. He played his character so convincing that when he played dead and we forgot to turn the lights down he just kept laying there, movingless. What resulted in the crowd standing up in a turmoil to see what was happening, to see if he was just playing dead.

School plays or talentshows are always a bit of a drag for everybody. The kids who have to perform are nervous, their parents are probably even more nervous and don’t get me started on the teachers who have to arrange everything. Every talentshow is an exact copy of the previous one since our teachers who have to accompany and train our students with high hopes in music only master a couple of songs. This results in listening to twenty different versions of Maroon 5’s this Love, I’ve got the music in me, any song by Adele and Irene Cara with fame is something that could be seen as our schools themesong.

But, every school has this select group of average musicians. A singer with a good voice, a drummer who can keep his rhythm and a guitarist who thinks he is amazing and keeps high hopes of going to a conservatory. Together they play a cover of a song that was special to them, they play it in the way it was supposed to be played. They have their 15 minutes of fame and get the bored crowd clapping, or even singing along. And to those students I say Chapeau! For creating a highlight, a moment we will remember this evening by and sharing your musical talent with us.