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Pick n Six – the new Beatles? - Alicia Edwards, Wimbledon High School

The members of Pick n Six (Siobhan Woods on the left, Katie Rittitatorn, Thandi Mapfumo next to Elizabeth Lindqvist on the piano, Evelyn Su, and Sophie Byrne on the right), Alicia Edwards <i>(Image: Alicia Edwards)</i>
The members of Pick n Six (Siobhan Woods on the left, Katie Rittitatorn, Thandi Mapfumo next to Elizabeth Lindqvist on the piano, Evelyn Su, and Sophie Byrne on the right), Alicia Edwards (Image: Alicia Edwards)

Only one month into 2023, and we already have seen the formation of a new band – Pick n Six. With an average age of 14 years old, this band is focusing on its latest conquest: Wimbledon High School’s annual Battle of the Bands.

Pick n Six’s members are Thandi Mapfumo as lead singer, Katie Rittitatorn on bass, pianist Elizabeth Lindqvist, Evelyn Su playing the guitar, Sophie Byrne (the sax legend), and Siobhan Woods on the drums. The six members met at school and found out that they have a shared passion for music, so made a band. I was lucky enough to be able to sit in on one of their rehearsals for Battle of the Bands, where they were practising ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael. The theme for this year is “Legends of the Past”, meaning that bands from a number of schools will pick a song from any artist who has passed away and perform for the number one spot, leading to Pick n Six choosing the renowned singer George Michael.

You may or may not have “pick”ed up the pun in the band’s name, but in case you hadn’t, bass player Katie Rittitatorn says: "We chose the name Pick n Six because there are six of us, and it was a clever pun on Pick n Mix. And also, we’re going to buy pick and mix on the day of Battle of the Bands for fun!" Although the band was created with the motivation of taking part in Battle of the Bands, Sophie Byrne said: "We all love music, so what better to do with that love than make music together?" Their first hurdle is to audition for a spot in the Battle of the Bands, and while everyone who I’ve spoken to believes that they’ll surpass expectations and secure their place, the whole Wimbledon High School community is crossing their fingers for good luck.

Could Pick n Six be the band on everyone’s lips in a few years? We will have to wait and see, but in the meantime, I hope you’ll join me in wishing the best of luck to Pick n Six for Battle of the Bands on the 24 March 2023!