Royal High School alumnae rally round with ‘Music for Mark’

February saw our talented and widely scattered musical alumnae from across generations unite at school to entertain with a spirit-lifting concert, providing much-needed support to their cherished RHS Music Teacher, Anna Bernard. 

‘Music for Mark’ was the brainchild of Tiffany Brunskill  – former RHS parent, and her alumna daughter Holly. It was their response to the news that Anna’s son Mark had been diagnosed with terminal melanoma. This devastating diagnosis has brought considerable financial pressures to Mark’s family, living in New Zealand with two young children, which the Brunskill family resolved to try to ease.

The concert bloomed from the germ of an idea to a full afternoon of spectacular entertainment in just three weeks. Wholeheartedly, despite the short notice, the local community, friends and alumnae far and wide embraced the event. Their human spirit, and deep respect and affection for a teacher and her family who has been instrumental in Bath over so many years in nurturing and changing young lives through singing and the performing arts, spontaneously soared at this deeply painful time.

The uplifting programme of music was a joyous line-up of alumnae performers, and some parents too. Alumna Kate Parsons had even taken a break from her current tour of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, to re-visit her theatrical roots back in the Memorial Hall.

Together with an auction and a mouth-watering cake sale, the whole event raised over £8000 to support Anna and her family with Mark’s care. A terrific triumph of goodwill and community spirit over available time!

Our thanks go to the Brunskill family and the many volunteers who staged the event, and our thoughts remain with the Bernard family.