Inaugural Black Tie Ball 2006

On September 30th 2006 Music for Alice held their Inaugural Black Tie Ball in London's Covent Garden - click here for the photos!!.

The Music for Alice Inaugural Ball represented the official launch of Music for Alice, a new charity that has been established in tribute to Alice Macgill. Alice's life was cut short in the Asian tsunami on 26th December 2004. Alice was studying to become a music teacher and Music for Alice has been established to make the contributions to music education that Alice can no longer make.

Four hundred and fifty glamorous guests stepped out on a fine autumnal evening and descended on the New Connaught Rooms. Guests were welcomed to the reception with a flute of champagne and the sophisticated sounds of a Jill Collier and†Natasha Zielazinski's cellos. As the champagne glasses emptied the reception filled up until a booming announcement declared 'dinner is served' and the doors to the Grand Hall swung open. The Grand Hall, a luxurious, elaborate and imposing space dominated by twenty-foot chandeliers and Juliet balconies, was soon filled with the sound of excitement as guests bustled to their tables. A three-course meal ensued; a starter of watercress soup was followed by a sumptuous parma ham wrapped poussin and, to finish, a frankly indulgent trio of chocolate deserts.

Fantastic as the meal was, more important matters were at hand. Chrissie Morris did a fantastic job in her role as compere for the evening, her first task being to introduce Ede, Alice's sister and founder of the charity, to the podium. Ede spoke eloquently and from the heart of the passion, talent and inspiration of her younger sister, leaving none in doubt about the strength and integrity of either of the Macgill sisters. Ede's words were the perfect reminder of the tragic events that had inspired the evening, and few eyes were left dry.

There was, however, no doubt that it was Saturday night in the nation's capital. The South City Trio struck up their instruments and kept feet tapping throughout the main course. Soon after the Rafflettes took to the floor. Unashamedly employed because of the persuasive powers of their features (not to mention their hemlines) the Rafflettes proceeded to cause the sale of the evening's raffle tickets to skyrocket. Not that the prizes couldn't hold their own; a dinner party catered by one of Gordon Ramsay's chefs, dinner and concert tickets at St John Smiths Square and a pair of Arsenal tickets being just a sample of what was on offer. The Arsenal tickets caused an outcry when the winning Manchester United fan generously offered them for auction, triggering a stampede that would have made David Dickinson proud.

With desert accompanied by the improvised piano of Ben Smith, the formalities were soon over and as the last plates were cleared the DJ set up. There was no question the audience was keen as the DJ was later heard saying "I've never had so many people dance to the backing tape". Shapes were thrown - the pictures speak for themselves and perhaps the less said the better.

As the clocks struck one am and guests were ushered into the night there was no doubt that the evening had accomplished everything that had been asked of it - four hundred and fifty people had been wined and dined, three live acts had entertained a willing audience, £5,000 had been raised and one new charity had been launched in the world.

The trustees of Music for Alice would like to reiterate our gratitude to the generosity to everybody who contributed their talents, skills, time and money to making the ball such a success.

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