TERI Band Steals The Show At Annual Benefit Concert
Thanks to the passion of music teacher, Ann Fennell, and the musical talents of students and others in the MVHS community, the annual MVHS Benefit Concert raises over one thousand dollars for TERI Inc., an organization dedicated to helping support people with autism.
With a lineup of twelve bands, including performers from the TERI organization, a middle school band, and a variety of popular MVHS student bands, this year's annual concert provided over two hours of music, treating the nearly full-house to a very special night of great music, for a great cause.
Fennell, music teacher at MVHS and coordinator of the event, opened the show with a little background about how TERI supports autistic students and an explanation of how all proceeds from the show would be given directly to their organization. She also introduced the TERI band, comprised of participants in the TERI services.
The TERI band, which performed about mid-way in the line up, is planning a tour in the spring which will take it out of state. Recently, the band performed on TV as guest stars on the well known children's show Sesame Street, where they were invited to introduce the show's new muppet character who has autism, like two of the members of the band.
During the TERI band's performance, which consisted of classic songs like "Stand by Me" and "Can't Help Falling in Love," the lead singer spoke about the members of her band, how long they had known each other, and even brought out souvenirs they had received while on the Sesame Street set.
This famously eclectic show treated listeners to a broad spectrum of genres and styles of music including everything from 80’s rock to death metal. In addition, several of the performances featured original songs. Each of the original songs was eligible to win a special prize being offered by MVHS family owned Cinematic Arts & Sound for a free recording of their song in their recording studio. At the end of the night it was announced that the song "Closed Doors" by the band Cruiser was the lucky winner.
Not only was the Benefit Concert a successful fundraiser, but TERI’s involvement also provided a learning experience for everyone in the audience to understand exactly what they do for students with special needs and why it's important. People left the show that night a little more enlightened about everything TERI, VUSD, non- general education schools, and MVHS do in partnership to support students with learning disabilities.