HOUSE HARMONIES

The House Harmonies competition saw Pears School packed with an eager crowd of supportive friends, family, and staff and a great Saturday evening for all. We were delighted to welcome Simon Toyne as adjudicator. A vastly experience singer and choral leader, he has worked nationally and internationally, and is currently Executive Director of Music for the David Ross Education Trust, leading a programme for around 15,000 young people across the country.

Starting off the night were The Priory with ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. An entertaining opening saw Carwyn O attempting to win over the adjudicator before a note was sung by blowing a kiss, but more importantly the group produced an assuring sound throughout, gradually building to an effective climax, with strong four-part chorus and two impressive lead voices in Carwyn and Corey V.

The Abbey delivered an impressive rendition of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’, featuring an intelligent arrangement, a range of dynamics, great solos, and some very effective percussive stomping and clapping. As Mr Toyne commented, their stagecraft went “hand-in-hand with their musicality”, and he labelled it an “absolutely terrific” performance.

In a smaller group of five, New House had to overcome the challenge of a recent change of song. An opening joke from Oliver E-W helped to sooth the nerves and, while there were one or two glitches in ‘Stand By Me’, their ability to find their feet again won them praise from the adjudicator and the support of the audience. Charlie H’s strong leading voice also gained special commendation.

The Cross shook things up, with Shaan S and Peter W creating a dramatic opening scene before breaking into their song, Billy Joel’s ‘The Longest Time’. The adjudicator picked out their excellent interaction and communication with each other – they were clearly enjoying themselves! – and in a group of strong voices across the board, Peter’s smooth baritone carried the main tune perfectly and kept the tempo.

In the words of the adjudicator, and as many audience members will agree, when Field stepped on stage and began their ‘Mamma Mia Medley’ with a dreamy, stripped-back version of ‘I Believe in Angels’, “confidence was instilled in all”. In a skilled arrangement by Effie B and Leila C, this group of 12 took us through a medley of Abba classics, led by different singers, with superb vocal quality throughout, and effective use of silence too. This was an example of “mature music-making” – not to mention the colourful feather boas! – and we clearly had a front runner…

School House’s ‘California Dreaming’

– the Mamas and Papas’ classic – was delivered with confidence but without gimmicks, allowing the audience to concentrate on some well-organised singing, plenty of eye-contact, an impressive solo from Lemuel M and a full-throttle ending.

After nearly decapitating an audience member with a straw boater, The Garden’s ‘Jersey Boys’ gave us a wonderful medley, lots of soloists, including an excellent Emily R, and a really good sense of the music. So, no, we couldn’t take our eyes off of them…

Orchard’s performance had everyone fully involved and energised. The style alternated between the refined sound of the main group, led by Louis A, and Manav C’s rapping, in an intelligent arrangement that really drew the audience in. ‘Magic’ !

Another medley – this time from The Mitre and Coldplay: great dynamics, strong lead voices, and fabulous tiedye shirts! The adjudicator felt that the performance created moments of real delicacy with a well-paced journey.

We may have found a fan-favourite in Latham’s ‘Strip That Down’. Imaginatively, the singing began downstairs, and Simon Toyne praised both staging and the fun that the group seemed to have with the song.

Dan Chan – the new Liam Payne?

While the adjudicator finalised his thoughts, the Reptiles filled the interlude wonderfully to show us nonsingers how it’s done. Judgements are always controversial, with nine houses usually feeling “robbed”, but Simon Toyne managed to make all the groups feel good about their performance. Field’s success was a popular one and congratulations too to The Abbey and School House, who took second and third.

Mr Toyne described close-harmony singing as “the most difficult thing you can do in music”. Reptonians proved that they are up for the challenge and more than equal to the job.

Ali H and Emelia B (U6M)