Rachel Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
Rachel was, of course, a fifteen year old girl with fifteen year old interests in music, and obviously the 1990's scored high. However, Michael, her father, introduced her to a selection of music; including the music scores of movies and stage musicals. There was always music in our home. Here are a few of her favourites.
High (Forever You and Me) : Lighthouse Family
When Manni and Rachel's friends were asked to suggest some of Rachel's favourite songs for the funeral it was an unanimous decision that this was to be one.
Together Again : Janet Jackson
Mike says he remembers quite clearly the evening Rachel came home from the Dance Factory and everyone had to help her move all the furniture from the family room (on this occasion it wasn't enough to just push it back) so she could demonstrate her new dance. It was to this Janet Jackson song. This song, too, was played at her funeral and was the backing to a video clip arranged by Manni's father.
Wannabe : Spice Girls
Rachel was in to everything Spice Girls. Actually it was Spice Girls platform shoes that she asked about at the shoe shop on that fateful Monday, 1st March, and not the high heels in the feature film 'I Am You'. She had told Manni she was going to earn $100 that evening, enough to come and buy the shoes the following day. Later, the manager of the shoe store contacted us and gave us the shoes. We put the Spice Girl shoes in Rachel's coffin. I week or so earlier she had asked me if I would buy them for her - but what with full time dance school fees - I had told her no. How I wish I had let her have them.
Rachel was in to everything Spice Girls. Actually it was Spice Girls platform shoes that she asked about at the shoe shop on that fateful Monday, 1st March, and not the high heels in the feature film 'I Am You'. She had told Manni she was going to earn $100 that evening, enough to come and buy the shoes the following day. Later, the manager of the shoe store contacted us and gave us the shoes. We put the Spice Girl shoes in Rachel's coffin. I week or so earlier she had asked me if I would buy them for her - but what with full time dance school fees - I had told her no. How I wish I had let her have them.
As You Love Me : Backstreet Boys (and other Backstreet Boys' songs)
Believe : Cher
(Rachel was excited with this)
(Rachel was excited with this)
Finally Found : Honeyz
Wuthering Heights :
Kate Bush
Kate Bush
The Wizard of Oz was a favourite movie in our household when Rachel was at Primary School. This was also the first song she was learning in her Diploma of Performance Arts.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow : Judy Garland
Jars of Clay was a Christian Boy Band. Rachel was introduced to this group at St Hilary's Youth Group, Wipeout.
Love Song for a Saviour
Much Afraid : Jars of Clay
Spirit of the Living God : Eden's Bridge
This is a gospel song that Rachel enjoyed singing at St Hilary's Youth Group. (I thought this was a lovely example of the song.)
Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night Dream
Go to Rachel bio to read about the significance of this music to Rachel's story.
What a friend we have in Jesus
This was another Christian song that Rachel and her friends would sing at Wipeout. Her church friends suggested this be played at her funeral. Mike chose this Alan Jackson version for the website. Alan Jackson is a Christian country singer (who Rachel wouldn't have known about, but this is a lovely example of this song) I wasnt going to put these Christian songs here because I thought Mike would think it wasn't necessary but he said Rachel's faith was apart of who she was, so it seems right that a couple of these favourites are here as well.
Hero : Mariah Carey
Go to poetry to read about the story behind this song.
