17 October 2012
Due to the break for half term now occurring on a Friday, the House Singing Competition this year found itself no longer on the eve of half term, but two days before. In all other respects, the preparation for the competition followed the customary pattern of a week’s intensive rehearsal in the run-up to it, following initial choices of repertoire in late September.
Our adjudicator this year was Dominic Franks OA, who was eminently well qualified, with experience as a New College Chorister, an Abingdon Music Scholar (1988-93), a Graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a Freelance Saxophonist, Jazz Promoter and, most recently, as Director of Music at Rendcomb College, near Cirencester. Dominic couldn’t remember the competition from his day because it started the autumn after he left Abingdon.
The houses had prepared a now habitually eclectic mix of songs, many chosen by the boys and then arranged, directed and rehearsed by them with support by housemasters and senior boys. As always, there was a great deal of friendly competition between the houses and an equal level of effort put into rehearsing slick polished performances that would impress the adjudicator. For many the reputation of each house was at stake and each group of boys rose splendidly to the occasion, showing great 'house spirit'!
Starting at 3.30pm, and with a careful plan for how each house would move out of the theatre and then back into position for their performances, the occasion worked smoothly. The ten houses (including Lower School’s 120 boys) each took their turn in what was a closely fought and finely balanced competition.
This year’s competition results were as follows:
1st place - Christodoulou’s with Some Nights by Fun, directed by Jacopo Blumberg and accompanied at the piano by Joe Ereaut.
2nd place - Lower School with Drive By by Train (Director Greg Davies, Piano accompanist Gianluca Cau Tait)
3rd place – Davies’ with The Cave by Mumford and Sons (Director Lewis Spring, Piano accompanist Ran Hu)
