The annual House Singing competition took place on Wednesday and it was a real pleasure to welcome back Adam Treadaway, previously a member of the Music department and an Assistant Head of House for School House at Abingdon School and now a Boarding Housemaster at Milton Abbey School, to adjudicate this year’s competition.
Following a drawing of lots with the house leaders earlier in the term, it was School House who chose to perform first, opting for John Newman’s ‘Love Me Again’. Opening tentatively with a duet this grew into a confident and controlled performance. Donnelly’s followed with a rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’ that sustained real enthusiasm supported by a strong lead guitar line in the band. Pygott’s uptempo rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ featured excellent delivery and imaginative use of auxiliary percussion. A full sound was evident from the get-go of O’Doherty’s performance of Valerie sustained by very clear direction and solid underpinning from the band. Lower School was last to perform before the interval. This was an accomplished performance of ‘School Song’ from Matilda featuring some lovely tuneful singing, and imaginative staging of the various elements of the song, including Mr Jenkins making an appearance over the PA system as Miss Trunchbull.
After a short interval, Austin House took to the stage to perform Katy Perry’s ‘California Gurls’ followed by a skilled performance of Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’ by Franklin’s House. This revealed some lovely harmonies bolstered by an impressive arrangement for the student band. Border’s House were up next with an incredibly tuneful rendition of ‘California Dreaming’ with a dramatic solo section, strong part-singing and capable direction. Crescent House offered a zealous performance of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’ before Stockdale’s closed the competition with a performance of ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ by Keane which featured some energetic solo and ensemble singing strengthened by the confident support of the band.
Whilst the adjudicator was making a decision the audience were treated to a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ from the ‘Philosophical Heads’; a staff-student band featuring both our Heads of School on vocals and guitar, and our very own Head Mr Windsor on Bass. This was a deft and well-received performance.
In the end, third place was awarded to Border’s House with Lower School taking second. It was, however, O’Doherty’s, with their enthusiastic and committed rendition of ‘Valerie’, who took the cup for House Singing 2024!
