No.8 receiving the winners trophy

The forum theatre in the centre of Malvern was again packed with pupils, staff and parents for this year’s House Singing Competition. They were looking forward to an evening of good entertainment and were not disappointed. Some observers who have attended the event regularly over the last twenty years or so felt it was the best they could remember.

The standard was indeed very high and the adjudicator, Andrew Wilson, Director of Music, RGS, Worcester, said that in drawing up a shortlist he was only able to reduce the ten houses to seven. With a choice of songs written by a variety of songwriters ranging from James Taylor to Rogers and Hammerstein there were diverse renditions with special arrangements by members of each house. There was a warm reception for all the houses and deservedly so.

The No.8 girls performing 'The Rhythm of Life'

The proceedings were started by No.6 who produced excellent quality of tone with “That Lonesome Road’ by James Taylor. Next came No.7 who presented what the adjudicator described as “reliable and well focused unison singing” with ‘Follow Me’ written by Uncle Kracker.

No.8 presented a CY Coleman number called ‘The Rhythm of Life’. Here the adjudicator commented on their vitality and at times four-part harmony.

No.1 provided a stark contrast to No.8 with their version of the 'Theme from Rawhide’ to which they showed enthusiasm and commitment. Another contrast followed from No.3 with a Burt Bacharach number, ‘Walk on By’ which was "performed with clear diction".

The ‘Theme from M*A*S*H’ was the choice of No.2. They performed this with musicality and the deft touch needed with the topic of the song. No.5 were next and showed a wide range of dynamics in their version of ‘Free Fallin’ written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne.

No.4 chose a number made famous by the Mamas and the Papas. The adjudicator thought their version of ‘Monday, Monday’ was ”a challenging setting, well performed”. The well known ‘Streets of London’ by Ralph McTell was the choice of No.9. In the words of Mr Wilson, “their presentation of this number was superb”. It fell to School House to end the proceedings with the emotional ‘You’ll never walk alone’ by Rogers and Hammerstein. The adjudicator said they certainly created a tingle factor.

Finally it came to the moment when the adjudicator’s verdict was announced in reverse order.

In third place - Number 9
In second place - Number 2
In first place - Number 8

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