Have I already shared the fact that I joined the High School Alumni band as a vocalist? If not, I first joined them during our 40th anniversary year. We performed twice - in Polo, and in LSGH. This allowed me to scratch one item in my 'should have done way back then' list. You see, I so wanted to sing with my batchmates long time ago. My first time singing was in the Asian Development Bank - as part of their choral. But to be part of the band performing in our High Shcool reunion... this was someting I wanted to do - but never thought I would get the chance, so when a call for interested members to join sufddenly came up, let's say I reached out.
Eve since, we've performed four times - twice in Polo, and twice in the Alumni homecoming. Our 40th, and 45th. We were looking forward to performing in our 50th in February 2028. Unfortunately, we won't be as complete as we hope to be by then. Yes, we've had members come and go in those years. But we had mainstays. One of these was Jiminy Gutierez - the band's lead guitarist. He may not have been in his best health, but we did not expect his sudden collapse and death two weeks ago. It was sudden.
Jiminy was cantankerous. He wanted to perform music which the band never had tried... even prefering the B-side stunes. In that sense he was an artist, not wanting to repeat himself. He also had a strong disdain for certain stuff... and this sometimes gave the rest of us some frustrations. There would be side discussions among the rest of us as to ow to handle him - but we could not deny his talent with the guitar. The band had technically three guitarists... but hte otehr two could not hold a candle to his talent.
Ah, Jiminy... you left some large shoes to fill up. We're at a loss, but we will not stop performing during our 50th. Still, there will be some curiosity as to how we will thrive now without Jiminy. Sure, Charlie says he will step up - hope we are able to perform new 'classics'. Goodbye Jiminy. Gone too soon... and you shall definitely be missed.
Eve since, we've performed four times - twice in Polo, and twice in the Alumni homecoming. Our 40th, and 45th. We were looking forward to performing in our 50th in February 2028. Unfortunately, we won't be as complete as we hope to be by then. Yes, we've had members come and go in those years. But we had mainstays. One of these was Jiminy Gutierez - the band's lead guitarist. He may not have been in his best health, but we did not expect his sudden collapse and death two weeks ago. It was sudden.
Jiminy was cantankerous. He wanted to perform music which the band never had tried... even prefering the B-side stunes. In that sense he was an artist, not wanting to repeat himself. He also had a strong disdain for certain stuff... and this sometimes gave the rest of us some frustrations. There would be side discussions among the rest of us as to ow to handle him - but we could not deny his talent with the guitar. The band had technically three guitarists... but hte otehr two could not hold a candle to his talent.
Ah, Jiminy... you left some large shoes to fill up. We're at a loss, but we will not stop performing during our 50th. Still, there will be some curiosity as to how we will thrive now without Jiminy. Sure, Charlie says he will step up - hope we are able to perform new 'classics'. Goodbye Jiminy. Gone too soon... and you shall definitely be missed.
Comments