HOUSE ACTIVITIES//
HOUSE MUSIC
The House Music Festival took place
over two evenings, with packed
audiences in the TST. The quality
of music produced on the first night
was particularly evident in the choral
singing offered by each House, and with
feedback from adjudicators, the second
evening reached even greater heights.
Of the instrumental pieces on offer,
Wilberforce played to their strengths,
performing a beautiful rendition of the
Theme from Schindler’s List, the emotive
violin solo played by Harry Kneeshaw.
Dolman gave an exciting performance
of Wipeout, complete with 60s-style
dance to set the party-mood. Hutton
performed The Pink Panther Theme, with
a prowling, triangle-playing panther,
whilst Gruggen brought together a
diverse 70s-clad ensemble to play
September.
The Choral items were certainly the
musical highlight of the Festival, with all
houses finding appropriate, yet diverse
repertoire to reflect their strengths.
Wilberforce began with the South African
national anthem, Hutton excelled with a
lovely rendition of Hush-a-bye Mountain,
with excellent male voices. Gruggen
also shone with their male voice choir
offering a superb performance of Do You
Hear the People Sing, whilst Dolman gave
two wonderfully contrasting pieces: the
tender Remember Me, followed by a lively
Praise You. Both showed a good control
of voices and the latter was particularly
well-received by the appreciative
audience. It now appears to be de rigueur
to have a conductor for the choral
items, and certainly this has led to a
strong sense of ensemble, when this is
used to best effect.
Each house concluded with their
finale, a choreographed arrangement
of a pop song. The performances had
an excitement brought by superb
choreography, colourful costumes, and
moments of laugh-out-loud humour!
Hutton began with Reach, confidently
sung, and tightly choreographed.
Wilberforce’s Holding out for a hero (with
an array of super-hero clad members of
the Upper Sixth) was brilliantly sung,
and supported by an excellent band.
Dolman opted for some musical theatre,
presenting You can’t stop the beat, again
confidently sung, and with a driving
rhythm section. The final word has to go
to Gruggen. They opted for the Grease
classic, You’re the one that I want, with the
Head Boy taking on the role of Danny,
opposite an unconventional, and quite
eccentric Sandy! The sheer enthusiasm
of the whole house captivated the
audience who loved every moment of
this song.
going to be difficult. Then the award for
the best individual item over the two
nights was given to WILBERFORCE
for their instrumental performance
of the Theme from Schindler’s List. After
careful deliberation, the overall trophy
was awarded to GRUGGEN, received
by screams of joy from the packed
balconies.
MK
When it came to the presentations, the
audience were held in suspense. The
judges picked out highlights from each
of the houses’ performances, and there
was indeed much to celebrate. With so
many choral highlights, the choice was
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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