The Eclipse Enlivens QMS’ Music Scene

By Jason C. (’25)

Many returning students may well be familiar with the legendary Senior School Band “30ft.” For band founder & lead guitar player Rose W. (’25), a scene from her favourite childhood anime is no longer a fantasy. “I remember watching a Japanese anime about five high school girls who made the band, and I got inspired by that,” shared Rose. “Last year, I thought, if I don’t create a band, my high school life will be incomplete.”

Since its creation last school year, the band has received overwhelming support in the community. “We were really surprised that it actually worked out really well, especially seeing the performance turnout during [last year’s] Spirit Day,” said Rose.

The 2023–2024 school year has been one with many changes. For Rose, with departing grads and band members moving away, this meant a new start was imminent. At the start of this school year, Rose launched a new band: The Eclipse.

The new name – The Eclipse – commemorates the new-found connection between the day and boarding students in the band. “As a [predominately] boarding-based band, we’ve never had day students on our team,” explains Rose. “The name really symbolizes, just like solar and lunar eclipses, the day and boarding students who have finally come together to form this band. It’s the second mission,” she said with a smile.

Since the band made their first appearance under the new name at the Inaugural Cowichan Youth Festival of the Arts (CYFA) in October, the community is still waiting for the next show.

When asked about the recent hiatus of The Eclipse performances, logistics have proven to be a headache. “This year, we didn’t really get to practice that much because of the piano lessons in the boarding house music room every day,” said Rose. “The TLC Music Room is also constantly occupied with lessons until 5:00pm, which is when Day Students depart. As we now have both boarding and day students, we’d be missing half of our band even if the rooms become available after five.”

Despite the hurdles, Rose promised that The Eclipse would soon make a return. A concert dedicated to just The Eclipse is on the band’s agenda. “We’re practicing six songs right now so that we can show up with full preparedness,” shared Rose.

Photo by Ashley Marston