THE fifth annual Dan Eley Foundation spring benefit concert, in association with Godalming College, raised nearly £2,000 for the charity’s Fresh Start programme for disadvantaged young people in Waverley.

The foundation hopes to focus on music bursaries, since two of the seven feeder schools to the college no longer carry the music GCSE subject due to cuts in government funding.

Former college student Dan Eley, who lives in Godalming, launched his charity in 2012 following a life-changing accident in 2010.

Waverley deputy mayor Mary Foryszewski gave a motivational talk at the concert in Godalming’s United Church. The music department at Godalming College performed a full programme to suit all tastes, including classical, jazz and modern, plus music from films and musicals.

The Godalming College Concert Orchestra opened and closed the event with medleys from All shook Up, through ABBA and Les Miserables to a Blues Brothers Revue.

The Big Band was a tremendous hit, with foot-tapping Jungle Boogie, Burritos to Go and Fever, plus The Bearcat and the Bimbo written by upper sixth student Dee Ferry-Swainson.

In contrast, the Chamber Choir performed A Gaelic Blessing by Rutter, Borgoroditse Devo by Rachmaninov and The Call of Wisdom by Todd.

Ensembles such as the euphonium duet with Felix Rockhill and Danny Baumberg and violin duet with Zoe Owlett and Keri McIntyre were fantastic.

The jazz ensemble, the session band and the wind quintet delighted the audience, as did the trombone quartet.

Standout individual performers included Will Rowling with Marimba Spiritual by Minoru Miki, Gabriella Catilli singing O Del Mio Dolce Ardor by Gluck, and Jonny North with a piano solo, Doctor Gradus Ad Parnasum by Debussy.

Dee Ferry-Swainson played Sonata No 6 in D minor by Handel on the recorder and, in a tribute to Dan Eley and the work that he does, Lean on Me by Great Big World was performed by Millie Windsor-Lewis, who sang and accompanied herself on the harp.

Dan who has recently returned from Colombia, where he had been celebrating the 500th student educated by the foundation, was guest of honour.

He pledged his continuing support of music in the community and congratulated all the musicians on their talent and commitment. The event raised £1,700 for the foundation.