Every Pupil takes part in House Music

Many congratulations to every House for their great efforts and the fabulous performances by everyone in putting on a terrific House Music competition enjoyed by 1,200 spectators.

Paull’s House, winners of the Unison Cup for the 5th consecutive year, was described by the adjudicator Mr David Temple as clear, beautiful and intense with a sweetness of sound and power. Paull’s won four of the categories with Leeman’s taking the Ensemble trophy for Rivers Cuomo’s Buddy Holly for their “good sense of ensemble with terrific piano playing and sensitive drumming.”

David Temple’s extensive repertoire includes conducting at the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican, as a guest chorus master with the BBC Symphony Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus. Collaborations with musicians from other genres include Sir Ray Davies and Noel Gallagher, and he has also appeared on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and at the Proms in the Park. It is therefore high praise indeed when he says that “Aldenham has unbelievable talent.”

The Conductor’s Cup also went to Paull’s, crediting Isabel Anderton with bringing the Paull’s Unison together so well. The various renditions of You’ve got a Friend in the Part Song left little to choose between the great intonation, rhythm and sense of enjoyment of the Riding’s delivery and the Paull’s version for its dynamics, confidence and good balance between the sections, making them the overall winners.

The variety of performances in the Solo Cup made it difficult to judge; from bagpipes to bouzouki with piano and voice in between. Sophie Katsiavriades (Paull’s House) grabbed the audience’s attention immediately with her emotional rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Think of Me showing beautiful clear rhythm which connected with the song and the singer. Year 10 student Atahan Diamond from Beevor’s on piano scored highly for a brilliant evenness of touch and excellent variety of dynamics in Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu Op.66 gaining him second place.

This of course is an event which involves every single student in the Senior School, so it was a treat to hear all of the boys and girls in Martineau’s House give a fine performance of Beauty and the Beast and Be Our Guest. Although not part of the competition, it definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the event.