UNISONS

Unisons is always a key highlight of the year – music, competitiveness and a thrilling display of house character, and it creates great unity within the houses, taking place early in the year when everyone is still settling. And it’s the first big house competition that is taken very seriously! This year’s was particularly special as it was the first year that we were back together in Pears School after the restrictions of the COVID years and it did not disappoint.

After weeks of serious practice, it was New House that opened the big night with ‘Human’ by Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. It's always tough starting the competition off but the boys took the stage in striking black and white outfits, with their conductor Henry Geutjens delivering a controlled performance with a strong, well-executed beat that echoed through Pears School. We were off!

Next up was the top-spot contender The Abbey singing ‘Demons’ by Imagine Dragons. Dressed in a unifying all-black with the red of the Upper Sixth’s tops standing out strongly, Rebecca D conducted a very well-rehearsed performance that was both precise and musical. At the final stamp it was clear from the silence that momentarily took the room that everyone realised just how high the bar had been set. A performance to be reckoned with – and, ultimately, worthy winners of the competition.

Latham brought the love next with their cheery romantic ballad ‘Tainted Love’, made famous by Soft Cell. Heart-warming t-shirts and a romantic couple dancing, some daring wigs and a very interesting pink dress – all made for a very entertaining performance and the boys performed with pride and unity, kept together by Archie R.

Such a creative performance deservedly achieved the boys’ Highly Commended.

Next up, The Garden adorned the stage with Upper Sixth fit to run a marathon - neon sweatbands and all. Whilst rumours had mentioned a potential Cold Play mash-up, Emily R blew her whistle to prepare the room for an energetic version of ‘Love Runs Out’ by OneRepublic: a very entertaining performance with lots of well-executed clicks and the tune on point. The whole house was clearly engaged and the smiles on the Upper Sixth faces showed just how much they enjoyed their final unison.

Whilst in recent years The Cross have gone for more punchy songs, Lorenz F and Dan K brought the whole house together in their uplifting and touching performance of ‘History’ by One Direction. Dressed as the band members in shirts and jeans, you could see the cohesion across the house as the boys linked arms and swayed, and got the audience clapping. A deserved standing ovation from The Mitre for their performance.

The Orchard touched Pears School with their moving rendition of ‘Another Love’ by Tom Odell. This was a complex song with some challenging notes but Louis A’s precise conducting and musicaility direction ensured a successful performance.. Dressed in all black and white, the Upper Sixth boys tossed their red roses into the crowd, to be met a roaring applause.

The army took the stage for the next performance as, with Sophie D faultlessly accompanying the song on piano and Ella B leading the girls into battle, The Mitre sang a powerful version of ‘Some Nights’ by Fun. A consistently well-performing house at the Unison competition, the Mitre did not fail to impress and deserved to win girls’ Highly Commended.

So far, the standards had been high, and Priory stepped up to this challenge with a suitably sparkly performance of Rhianna’s ‘Diamonds’ – stylishly beginning with the Sixth Form parading down the aisles of Pears School on each other's shoulders, dressed in shiny silver-and-blue outfits and plenty of hair gel. Carwyn O conducted expertly, inspiring the boys with confidence, and he fully deserved to be crowned Best Conductor of the night. Priory shone bright!

The second Rhianna song of the night - ‘Umbrella’ - was performed energetically by School House. Joe S, dressed as Rhianna, took the stage with a confident dance solo and led the boys in a well- organised performance, singing a slightly lower but solid version of the song, and featuring skilfully-opened umbrellas.

The closing performance of the night was the Jackson Five song ‘I Want You Back’ by Field House. Yellow, orange and pink neon top hats illuminated the stage, and led by Issy H, and Megan P and the rest of the the Upper Sixth, the house gave a musical and tuneful rendition of this classic.

For all the colour and fun, this is a music competition and the adjudicator Cathy Lamb, Director of Music

Outreach at Lichfield Cathedral School, provided some expert feedback before the unenviable job of picking out the winners. But above all this was a night for celebrating the return of Unisons to its proper place in school, and a hugely entertaining evening that showcased the house’s confidence and creativity – followed by lots of well-deserved celebrations.