House Music Competition 2017

Every pupil in the school performed in at least one of these events. As always the atmosphere on both evenings was highly charged.

A largely pupil-based audience at the Instrumental Competition were treated to a range of solos and ensemble items – everything from a Haydn String Quartet to Guns ‘n’ Roses with the volume turned up to ’11’! It was wonderful to see so much support from houses for the musicians on stage who were representing them, and the standard at this event seems to go from strength to strength each year. Winning the House Instrumental Competition was De Winton House, with Donaldson’s House in second place and Alway House following in third place. The ensemble highlights of the evening were the Orchard House version of Paradise City by Guns ‘n’ Roses and Donaldson’s with the Flower Duet from Lakmé by Delibes.

The House Singing Competition was held in front of an audience of 700 in the sports hall with many parents and friends of the school keen to take in the action and soak up the nervous energy and excitement that was so obviously present. After two rounds comprising of part songs and then the ‘whole house’ unison songs, the adjudicator, David Evans confessed that he was most impressed with standard of singing this side of the border. What he particularly appreciated it seemed was the attention paid to diction and quiet singing and it was for these two qualities that Orchard House came out on top, with their renditions of The steady light by Unterseher (part song) and Once we were kings from Billy Elliot by John & Hall (unison). Donaldson’s House were awarded second place and St David’s House followed in third place.

The overall winners of the House Music Competition were Donaldson’s House, who, for the second year running, maintained a consistently high standard across both evenings, as well as proving that sometimes it is the choosing of the right material that can be the key to success. De Winton House were in overall second place and the younger pupils of Alway House were delighted to beat the other senior houses into third place, which was a considerable achievement.

As always, a monumental amount of effort went into this event and congratulations must be given to all who took part, and especially to those pupils in charge of rehearsals who led admirably and with great courage and determination from the front.