The weird world of the Alpha Boys School online
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:36 am
The Alpha Boys School has such an incredible musical legacy and seemingly universal goodwill that if they were to hire a professional fund-raiser/PR person - I feel sure they would make a mint.
However, they seem unlikely to do so which is a great shame in my view not least because it means they have not really secured ownership of the Alpha Boys School 'brand' in the way that many other charities have.
This vacuum of brand ownership means that anyone can use the Alpha Boys School to promote their own stuff and my own club night is one example of this. Indeed, there is even a band called 'Alpha Boys School' in Germany - they are very nice people I'm sure - but it illustrates my point about the lack of control of the brand.
And it is this lack of control which has led to a number of Alpha-related websites springing up on the web.
Here then, is my unofficial guide to them with my equally unofficial commentary.
http://www.alphaboysschool.com/
This site is run out of America I think. It doesn't have much in the way of information but it is where you can donate directly to the school and/or buy their CDs and coaster sets.
http://alphahome0.tripod.com/
It appears that this site was set up by the nuns at Alpha Boys School themselves. It is richer in information and pictures but poorly laid out. The vile yellow background means it is best not viewed with a hangover!
http://www.myspace.com/alphaboysschool
This unofficial page is maintained by myself in order to give the Alpha Boys School a presence on MySpace (and hopefully raise a little money for them) until such a time as they might choose to do so officially.
I conceitedly believe it to be the best source for Alpha-related music history and information currently on the web.
There are some potted biographies of Alpha's graduates on the page - and some more in-depth features in the blog.
It also plugs any Alpha fund-raising projects/events that I get hear about.
http://www.alphaboysschool.co.uk/
This is the website of UK-based charity 'Alpha Boys Association for Poor and Disadvantaged Children (ABAPDC) run by a very nice old Alpharian named Basil Hylton. ABAPDC are working to build a trust fund to ensure Alpha's survival. They also try to provide a social network for graduates of the school - many of whom have no other family.
http://www.alphaoldboysassociation.com/home.html
This is another UK-based old boys organisation - much more business-driven than ABAPDC. The prime mover seems to be old Alpharian and businessman: Milton Moore. There are some nice pictures on this site and some (rather glowing) biographies of Alpha's musicians.
If you know of any others or have any corrections to make or information to add, I would love to hear it.
Respect
Baldy
However, they seem unlikely to do so which is a great shame in my view not least because it means they have not really secured ownership of the Alpha Boys School 'brand' in the way that many other charities have.
This vacuum of brand ownership means that anyone can use the Alpha Boys School to promote their own stuff and my own club night is one example of this. Indeed, there is even a band called 'Alpha Boys School' in Germany - they are very nice people I'm sure - but it illustrates my point about the lack of control of the brand.
And it is this lack of control which has led to a number of Alpha-related websites springing up on the web.
Here then, is my unofficial guide to them with my equally unofficial commentary.
http://www.alphaboysschool.com/
This site is run out of America I think. It doesn't have much in the way of information but it is where you can donate directly to the school and/or buy their CDs and coaster sets.
http://alphahome0.tripod.com/
It appears that this site was set up by the nuns at Alpha Boys School themselves. It is richer in information and pictures but poorly laid out. The vile yellow background means it is best not viewed with a hangover!
http://www.myspace.com/alphaboysschool
This unofficial page is maintained by myself in order to give the Alpha Boys School a presence on MySpace (and hopefully raise a little money for them) until such a time as they might choose to do so officially.
I conceitedly believe it to be the best source for Alpha-related music history and information currently on the web.
There are some potted biographies of Alpha's graduates on the page - and some more in-depth features in the blog.
It also plugs any Alpha fund-raising projects/events that I get hear about.
http://www.alphaboysschool.co.uk/
This is the website of UK-based charity 'Alpha Boys Association for Poor and Disadvantaged Children (ABAPDC) run by a very nice old Alpharian named Basil Hylton. ABAPDC are working to build a trust fund to ensure Alpha's survival. They also try to provide a social network for graduates of the school - many of whom have no other family.
http://www.alphaoldboysassociation.com/home.html
This is another UK-based old boys organisation - much more business-driven than ABAPDC. The prime mover seems to be old Alpharian and businessman: Milton Moore. There are some nice pictures on this site and some (rather glowing) biographies of Alpha's musicians.
If you know of any others or have any corrections to make or information to add, I would love to hear it.
Respect
Baldy