Last week, the Make a Move co-curricular club brought the spirit of Live Aid to Vietnam with a rock concert featuring five BIS bands. What truly sets this event apart is that it was entirely student-organised, from initial concept to flawless execution.
The Year 12 leaders Jessie, Quynh, and Tisha, didn't just rock on stage; they rocked the planning process too. Their CCA, Make a Move, aims to raise awareness for causes supported by Heartbeat Vietnam (VinaCapital Foundation) and Laws for Paws through creative mediums like film and animation. With a shared passion for music (and both Jessie and Quynh being part of BIS bands), the idea for a rock concert was a natural progression. They now aimed to raise money for these chosen community partners through the tickets sales and donation boxes.
About the cause
Year 9 students meeting Minh Thu, a 4 year old who recently underwent surgery funded by their community impact project.
Heartbeat Vietnam helps fund life-saving heart surgeries for underprivileged children, suffering from Congenital Heart Disease. As well as funding life-saving operations, the programs help care for the children pre and post operation, enhancing the lives of them and their families. Our Year 9 students recently visited VinaCapital offices to meet with Minh Thu, a 4 year old girl who underwent heart surgery in January. The surgery was funded by the 33 million VND raised by our Year 9s as part of their Enterprise project.
Visits to Laws for Paws shelter during Week Without Walls
The funds raised through ticket sales and donation boxes will also support Laws for Paws Vietnam in rescuing and rehoming abandoned dogs while educating the community about responsible pet ownership through various programs. Alongside regular visits to school as part of the Laws for Paws CCA, the team also presents workshops for our Early Years Children and supports us with activities for our students during Week Without Walls. Students visit the shelter, walk and groom the dogs and learn about behaviour and training.
Planning a rock concert
Preparations began over a month in advance with meticulous scheduling and delegation. Once the lineup was finalised and their plans were approved by Mr. Kay, the team collaborated with our marketing and graphic design department to develop eye-catching promotional materials. The students created over 24 banners and posters, along with a strategic social media posting schedule. Their Instagram page (@makeamove.vn) built anticipation with “coming soon” teasers, followed by informative posts about the CCA and its partner charities. To further amp up excitement, the band lineup was kept a secret until just before the event. Tickets and programs were designed using student artwork, mirroring the posters.
The team also meticulously planned for the event itself, assigning key roles:
- Jessie: A rockstar in not just one, but four BIS bands on the night!
- Quynh: Double duty, performing on stage while managing the main camera display.
- Tisha: Overseeing all the vendor stalls.
- Louis: Capturing close-up action shots.
- Jake: Ensuring flawless lighting and sound.
- Amanda & Jonathon: Taking the stage as charismatic MCs.
In addition to these roles, all the bands prepared extensively, rehearsing their setlists for a truly unforgettable performance.
A week before the event the lineup was announced with Jessie’s Girls, Lobster BISque, Disbanded, Nocturnal and Toad Abode performing everything from Slipknot to Taylor Swift.
The big night
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Excitement filled the air as a packed auditorium of students, staff, and parents eagerly awaited the first band to take the stage on Thursday night. Toad Abode, with Jonathon on vocals, Hugo and Ian on guitar, Jessie on bass and Oscar on drums, kicked off the night with Megadeth and Foo Fighters, igniting the audience's energy.
Disbanded followed with a crowd-pleasing rendition of Queen's classic "Don't Stop Me Now," featuring Soohyeon and Anna on vocals, Zhen and Jiu on guitar, Dolly on piano, Victoria on bass and Ian on drums. The energy continued with 2023's BIS Battle of the Band runner-up, Jessie's Girls, who delivered a powerful set of My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park. Led by Jessie on vocals, we saw Huy on guitar, Alvin on Bass, Quynh on Trumpet, Kevin on Trombone and Tony on drums.
After a brief intermission, the auditorium pulsed with anticipation again as Nocturnal brought a vibrant pop-rock vibe with a mix of Carly Rae Jepson and Katy Perry. We had Tram Anh and Viola on vocals, Yuen on bass, Chloe on guitar and Hoai An on drums.
The final act, Lobster BISque, longtime Battle of the Band champions, brought the house down with Michael Jackson and Velvet Revolver, featuring Jessie's dynamic vocals once more, Hugo and Elijah on guitar, Victoria on bass, Le Minh on piano and Oscar on drums.
As the final notes faded, the entire night culminated in an unforgettable finale. All the bands, joined by some enthusiastic fans, took to the stage for a collaborative rendition of "Hotel California," leaving the audience cheering for more.
What an absolutely incredible night! Not only did Make a Move put on a phenomenal show, but their incredible efforts also managed to raise a staggering 18 million VND for their community partners. Live Aid showcased not only the incredible musical talent and confidence of our student performers, but also the dedication, communication, and independence they displayed in the organisation of the event, highlighting their commitment to supporting our community partners.
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