by Perpetual Nazareth
MUMBAI, SEP 19, 2017: Don Bosco High School, Matunga has this year already lifted to honours for their sporting conquests, particularly on the football field 
– but 'Glorious 75', their school band proved that the institution excels in more than just sport.
At 'Band-it Festival 2017', an inter-school band competition organised by Furtado School of Music on September 15, Don Bosco's school band comprising of vocalist, Ethan Mathew, Benson Nazareth and Varghese Chiramel on the saxophone, Jermin Jose, the bass guitarist, Chezian Vaiz and Jash Kasare on the trumpet, and Nigel Fernandes the drummer – made the top ten from over 50 schools that qualified following a gruelling elimination round.
'Glorious 75' emerged as the "Audience Favourite", while lead singer Mathew won "Best Vocalist" award. The 'Band-it Festival' is the biggest inter-school competition in the city of Mumbai with more than 500 schools being invited to audition. Don Bosco's young musicians called themselves 'Glorious 75' in view of the Platinum Jubilee of the school. As a reward for being one of the finalist bands, the players were entitled to a 90 minutes mentoring session on September 11 with Chintu Bhosale, the grandson of Asha Bhosale, who is also a musician and music educator in Mumbai.
"I felt like a professional player playing in big shows," Benson Nazareth, the saxophonist, said. Lolita Mendonca, a parent added, "Our school band stood out as being the only brass band. They belted out some foot tapping numbers."
Hadyn Dias, an active volunteer who helps out with study and music class for the boarders at Dominic Savio High School, Andheri paid a glorious tribute to the school band. "The boys synchronised very well together and performed songs that were not conventionally popular. However they still managed to keep the audience thoroughly engaged and entertained throughout their performance."
Father Bernard Fernandes, principal of Don Bosco High School, summed up the experience by saying, "I was happy that our students got an exposure on the big stage before a knowledgeable and appreciative audience. The band master Sir Saby has a way with the children and the brilliant performance was there for all to see."