Student band performing at Sophie's to raise money for cancer research
On Thursday, March 10, at 7p.m., Westchester Country Day School’s contemporary music ensemble, “No Idea,” will be performing at Sophie’s Cork & Ale in Lexington. This is not their typical performance. On the tables at Sophie’s during the performance will be QR codes to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) research to stop cancer.
Two members of the band, Lyndon Briggs and Mallory Atkinson, are participating in LLS’s Students of the Year Campaign in the Triad Region, looking to raise $25,000 for cancer research. The students have been meeting with businesses and other organizations in the community to try to raise money, along with asking family and friends for help.
Briggs and Atkinson have been affected by cancer in their families, causing them to join this campaign. “We both genuinely want to be a part of the generation that cures blood cancer,” remarked Briggs. Both are involved in various volunteering and social justice organizations and are using their skills to make this campaign successful. Atkinson initially approached Briggs with this specific campaign, and they decided to try to raise the money as a team, mirroring the friendship they’ve had for years.
No Idea is looking forward to helping with this campaign. The band practices as a class during the year, bonding as a group and learning many songs. Simultaneously, they’ve grown close as musicians and friends, No Idea comes together at least four times a week to rehearse. They have played at many school events, and look forward to playing during after school events as well.
The band this year has six members. Here are brief bios about each of the performers:
Olivia Cecil (12th)- Olivia has been a member of the band since her sophomore year. She plays many instruments, including guitar, bass, and drums. Outside of school, Olivia plays travel volleyball. She will be attending Berklee College of Music in the fall.
Jeihan Indrawan (12th)- Jeihan joined the band in her senior year. She is a talented bassist and left-handed guitarist. In her free time, Jeihan excels at graphic design, and will be attending North Carolina State University’s College of Design in the fall.
Caroline Griffith (11th)- This is Caroline’s second year in the band. She drums, plays guitar, and bass. A social justice advocate and filmmaker, Caroline is passionate about everything she does.
Mallory Atkinson (10th)- Mallory is a new member of the band this year. Playing guitar, bass, and violin, she is also well-rounded in her musical capabilities. Mallory is currently practicing to perform in High Point University's orchestra as a violinist for a concert in April while also rowing on Triad United Rowing’s crew team.
Lyndon Briggs (10th)- Lyndon is also a first-year member of the band. She mainly plays piano, but also assists in drums, guitar, and bass. Lyndon is also on the rowing team with Mallory (and me!). She hopes to pursue pediatric medical genetics in her future endeavors during and post-college.
Isabella Reid (10th)- Isabella has joined the band for the first time this year. She has been working to learn many new instruments, including the guitar. She also recently participated in the school play and is currently a member of the track team.
Each member of the band, along with special guest and talented vocalist Meredith Harron, is looking forward to performing at Sophie’s, with the help of their director Ken Mickey, in support of Lyndon and Mallory’s fundraising goals. If you would like to donate to this campaign, use this link. To meet these talented musicians and see them perform, join us at Sophie’s on Thursday night from 7:00p.m-8:30p.m..
