House music – teacher forms neighbourhood ‘supergroup’ to thank NHS

A talented Stockland Green School music teacher has been raising rooftops – and community spirit – after forming a street band with neighbours to show their support and appreciation for the NHS.

One woman band Adele Hollis has played a different doorstep instrument and song every Thursday, after the clap for NHS -– at the request of her frontline worker friend. Now, the former solo artist has joined together with her Nuneaton neighbours to headline a five piece group called ‘Street Band’

The multi-generational supergroup – which features vocals, guitar and drums – made their debut two weeks ago with the Oasis anthem ‘Wonderwall’. Such is the band’s popularity that they performed to an audience of millions on BBC News, while Adele has been invited to play at an outdoor celebration.

Adele said:

I have some very close friends who are frontline NHS workers and my admiration for them currently is through the roof. I wasn’t sure about playing, but then one of those friends said that she wanted me to perform, and as she was a frontline worker, I couldn’t say no – all in fun! So I did, and put a message on Facebook saying it was with them in mind. I also wanted to do something to lift the spirits of my street and neighbours.”

Multi-instrumentalist, Adele’s performances started with a saxophone to the tune of the Madness classic ‘One Step Beyond’. She played on the flute and keyboard the following weeks, by popular demand from her neighbours. News soon spread across the local telegraph (well, washing line) pole and the motivated teacher began to recruit band members.

Adele said: “I shouted out to my neighbours and asked if they would join in with a sing-a-long the following week. They said ‘yes’. Within an hour I had a message from a lad three-doors down who asked if he could join with his guitar.

“Then I put signs on the lampposts in the street telling everyone the song so that they could download the lyrics. Next I put a note on a washing line pole and propped it up against next-door, where a 10-year old drummer lives, and I asked him to join us. Another neighbour asked if they could join as a singer. The band comprises of me, Owen aged 17 (guitar), Rhys aged 10 (drums), Aime aged 16 (vocals) and Andy who is Owen’s dad (vocals).”

The logistics of rehearsing in an age of social distancing are met with the band’s usual creativity and flair – along with some garden furniture.

Adele said: “It was easy when I was on my own. Now we have a band, I have to do a bit of planning, including a wet weather contingency! I moved the car off my drive and so did Rhys’s dad (we share that drive) and the drums were put there with a gazebo over him. Another gazebo was put in front of my living room window which was more than two metres away from Rhys. I put my keyboard and microphone under there. Owen had a wireless lead for his guitar and was able to stand on the pavement outside my house. His dad stood next to him.

“Last week we played Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’. We were rehearsing by me lifting the fence again and teaching the drummer. I recorded the song and sent it to Owen so that he could learn it in the correct key and I sent it to Aime so that she could sing-a-long to the right version. This week, we will be performing ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’. We set up at 7pm and manage to fit in about two run throughs before the clap. We always play after the clap and not before because that clap is not ours, it is for the NHS.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1258503767009435650

Adele said the public response – and unexpected fame – has been more than she could ever have imagined. But the greatest hit has been the impact on the community.

She said: “As a street, we are now all talking to each other and we know who everybody is. I popped outside to welcome our new singer last week and while I was at the end of her drive talking to her and her mum, Rhys’s mum popped out and called….’Rhys, Adele is here’ and he ran out to talk to me!

“People are shouting my name over the fence and introducing themselves. I’ve been asked to play for a couple’s wedding anniversary in the garden in a few weeks’ time! The sense of community has changed so much where I live and it’s so lovely. People who I have not heard from in years have been back in touch, following our appearance on the BBC.”

Adele added:

Music is a core subject in society. It unites people, which is never more important than in this current time. It can positively change the way a person feels and I am so proud that I am able to share this in my own little way.”

Students and staff at Stockland Green School, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, are equally proud of Adele.

Headteacher Marie George said: “Adele is a superstar and we are so lucky to have her! This isn’t a surprise at all, as she has introduced so many musical opportunities at school and her moto has been #atStocklandGreenwesing.”

Adele added:  “I am missing the students and staff so, so much. I may not have been at Stockland for long, but my heart is fully there. I would like to think that perhaps some of the students can see that music can help them.”

Doorstep set list – Adele explains the songs behind the clap

Week 1: Saxophone: One Step Beyond ….which is what the NHS have gone.

Week 2: Flue: Somewhere Over The Rainbow….the symbol that is representing the NHS.

Week 3: Keyboard: Mr Blue Sky…..the main NHS colour is blue.

Week 4: Wonderwall…….I asked the guitarist to pick because it had to be something he could play.

Week 5: Sweet Caroline……because the neighbours joined in last week and this is a great sing-a-long song.

Week 6: (Show Me The Way To) Amarillo… following on from Peter Kay’s ‘Big Night In’ fundraiser in tribute to the NHS.