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. 

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 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.

To view a Flickr album from the festival, please click here.

To view a video of an evening performance from House Music, please click here

Editorial: Martin Kettlewell, Director of Music Pocklington School