At a concert which had the Herschel Theatre bursting with the sound of their electronic instruments, award-winning all-girl band Sterling EQ  was given a standing ovation.  The concert by the glamorous quartet, who won a SAMA award earlier this year, and performed at the IPL Cricket Tournament and FIFA opening ceremonies,  was the final event of Herschel Girls’ Enrichment Week.

During the week all Grade 8 to Grade 11 classes are replaced by talks and outings aimed at broadening the girls’ education. Each grade works to a different theme, ranging from My Community to A change of Heart.  Pupils become involved in outreach work: they visited and worked SARDA and Maitland Cottage, painted township crèches, listened to blind therapists, created gift parcels for the aged and listened to talks by people who have made a difference to the lives of others.

During the concert, Sterling EQ cellist, Ariella Caira, who matriculated from Herschel,  spoke to the girls about the importance of following their dreams.  “Do what is important to you. Follow your dreams to do whatever you know you can do and you will be rewarded,” said Caira. “And everyone else around you will be rewarded too.”

She also spoke about the importance of integrity and the importance of a support system.

Other band members Renate Riedemann, Eriel Huang and Carina Bruwer also addressed the Herschel pupils, giving short motivational talks interspersing the musical programme.  After the concert, they invited the girls onto the stage to ask questions and to inspect their unusual electric violins, flute and cello.