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After a three-year break due to COVID-19, the penultimate day of the first half of the Michaelmas term saw the return of the House Music Competition in its traditional format. Taking place in the chapel, this was a chance for the entire senior school to get stuck in and showcase their musical ability. Performing to a packed-out audience was made more enjoyable thanks to the fantastic and supportive atmosphere created by staff and pupils for their peers. The atmosphere is very special one, and there is always a tangible sense of support, encouragement, and appreciation.
This year Eagle House opened the show with their ensemble 鈥楾别辩耻颈濒补鈥� by the champs. The performance and choreography of shaking and clapping with audience participation was brilliant. The whole house performance was 鈥榃ith a Little Help from my friends鈥� by The Beatles. The dancing enhanced the vocals of the students and it was a fantastic start to the event.
Star followed with a beautiful ensemble of 鈥極ur Last Summer鈥� by ABBA. The communication between the three performers was excellent, with lovely build ups and contrasts. Overall a lovely performance. The whole house had clearly well-rehearsed their song 鈥楽迟颈迟肠丑别蝉鈥� by Shaun Mendes well. The students had an impressive sound with good diction of the words throughout and stood out with their great presence and postures.
Woodard sang 鈥楩ix You鈥� by Coldplay for their ensemble. The organ introduction was brilliant and the adjudicator loved the outstanding use of falsetto. The whole house started off with their backs to the audience and turned around to start their performance. Woodard had an awesome band introduction and a great song choice of 鈥楽别辫迟别尘产别谤鈥� by Earth, Wind and Fire.
Wolf was the first girls house to perform and they set the bar. The ensemble sang 鈥楾he Climb鈥� by Miley Cyrus. It was great to see the students sharing the singing around the group, great teamwork, and good interaction. The whole house sang 鈥楧ance with Me Tonight鈥� by Olly Murs. The house had great energy, made a sterling effort and had impressive choreography.
Chevron sang 鈥楢ll Day and All of the Night鈥� by The Kinks for their ensemble. Very convincing singing and a good band. For their house song the students sang 鈥楲ivin鈥� on a prayer鈥� by Bon Jovi. The addition of the student conductor stood out and there was good progression throughout the song.
“ In my view, you all have performed excellently, and all supported each other brilliantly and I think that is even more important, dare I say it, than the music ” Mr Neil Matthews, Director of Music
Crescent House started their song off with a history lesson followed by their ensemble of 鈥榁补濒别谤颈别鈥� by Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse. The band had great energy and the adjudicator loved that there was a tuba player in the band. For their house song, Chevron sang 鈥楧on鈥檛 Look Back in Anger鈥� by Oasis. The students had a strong vocal entrance and energy throughout the phrases.
Following Crescent was Phoenix House singing 鈥楻olling in the Deep鈥� by Adele. The pupils had a solid opening vocally, and harmonies flowed. It is also important to mention their amazing acapella when the band stopped. 鈥楽uper Trooper鈥� by ABBA was the whole house song and what an excellent choice it was; you could hear the acoustics throughout the building.
Fleur followed on with their ensemble of 鈥楯耻濒测鈥� by Noah Cyrus. It was great to see a ukele being played in the band and the pupils had a solid intonation throughout. For the house song the students chose 鈥楾otal Eclipse of the Heart鈥� by Bonnie Tyler. Their sound projected through the building, and they were effective and convincing in their head and chest voice with a phenomenal technique.
Pelican house had a good start, with lovely harmonies and an amazing sound during their ensemble of 鈥楯ar of Hearts鈥� by Christina Perri. The house also did fantastic in their whole house performance when singing 鈥楧on鈥檛 Stop Believing鈥� by Journey.
Shield house, who won the competition, sang 鈥楥补谤诲颈驳补苍鈥� by Jaime Diraz for their ensemble. They were well enunciated, had nice engagement and overall fantastic singing. 鈥楧on鈥檛 Stop Me Now鈥� by Queen was their chosen whole house song and it was fabulous. The solo at the beginning was incredible and the adjudicator loved their energy and movements, and felt that their actions helped their singing.
Red Cross, the last boys house to perform, sang 鈥楢in鈥檛 No Sunshine鈥� by Bill Withers. They had awesome voices and a classy trumpet. Their whole house song was 鈥楢nother Brick in the Wall鈥� by Pink Floyd. The students had an inspiring commitment to the theatrics throughout their entire performance.
Finally, Martlet house ended the show with their ensemble 鈥楩our, Five Seconds鈥� by Rihanna with stylistic singing, talented musicians, and the pure look of enjoyment. The whole house song was 鈥楬ymn for the Weekend鈥� by Coldplay. They had a brave start without the band, and had great highs.
Adjudicating events like this is very tricky, and we were lucky to have Mr Tim Carpenter from Ardingly join us for the evening. Tim provided excellent, in-depth analysis alongside his all-important marks. He was also impressed, not only by the music but also the palpable sense of community that was on display throughout the evening. Well done to all students involved.
“ All of you sang and played so wonderfully ” Mr Tim Carpenter, adjudicator for the evening
Shield House were extremely deserving winners. Both the ensemble and whole house were fantastic performances. And as Mr Matthews said last year, 鈥淪hield has always been one to watch in this competition.鈥�
The competition was also streamed live for parents to watch, with commentary between acts provided by Liam Agate, Will Bradley and Natalie Coogans. Now with more than 2,500 views, this was a highly successful production to match the energetic performances and enthusiastic support in the chapel itself. Overall, the event was a great success, displaying enthusiasm and showmanship from pupils and staff alike. A triumphant return to the proud tradition of the house music competition.
“ I am so proud of the Shield girls. The L6th, as a team, did a fabulous job motivating and energising the house. The girls had fun along the way which was evident to see in their performance. I don鈥檛 think 鈥淒on鈥檛 Stop Me Now鈥� has ever been performed in such a manner! ” Carey Jones, Housemistress of Shield
