“I love House Music because it’s the wildest night of the year – an opportunity for the whole school to get together and celebrate our talent. It’s a great experience because even when rival Houses perform, you can still see students on their feet cheering their friends on. I think it’s valuable because it’s a night of fun for everyone – although it is a competition, it still feels like a celebration.” says Head Boy, Alex (Upper Sixth), voicing the thoughts of the whole LP community on the phenomenon that is House Music!
The annual music competition between the four Houses, Bentsi-Enchill, Cadbury, Fox and Tubman, is one of the most popular on the Park. This year the categories included Junior and Senior soloists, Original Composition, Small Ensemble and Large Ensemble; providing plenty of opportunity to showcase the talents of each House.
The judges possessed an impressive range of experience as Grade 8 piano player Head, Matthew Judd, chaired the panel of industry experts. Rita Campbell, who started touring and writing with her first band at the age of 15, is a songwriter and session singer across a wide range of genres including dance, rock, pop and drum ‘n’ bass. Rita has worked with Steps, Cher, Westlife, Jools Holland, Westlife, and Toploader. She has also been a judge for the Eurovision Song Contest! Trevor Coley is the founder of Sontronics Microphones, one of our music partners. Trevor’s mics can be found in recording studios, radio stations, in the homes of world-famous musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Adele, and used by Jamie Oliver and at Abbey Road Studios. Lisa Coley is a classical flautist with an impressive history of music magazine publishing having studied Music and French and worked for Classic CD magazine. Ali Bowen-Davies, a talented oboe player who has performed and taught in Hong Kong, Europe and the USA, is the final judge in our line up. Ali was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in 2014 for her work with youth music and now sets the pieces for ABRSM examinations.
Highlights from the night included Charlie (Year 7)’s rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’, ‘Mi Amore’, an original composition by Lower Sixth Former, Laura, on guitar and voice, the energy of Fox House’s small ensemble fronted by Charlotte and Isi on vocals and Tubman’s impressively polished large ensemble featuring their very own wedding!
Deputy Head Girl, Flick, enthused: “I really enjoyed coming together to watch all the performances that had been in the making over the last couple months. I especially enjoyed the big group performances, where its chaotic energy brought smiles to a lot of our faces (particularly Fox House’s Spice Girls!). I think House Music is valuable in bringing together all the year groups, where you find yourself singing with peers from a range of years. This year, my last House Music, I found it so special that all the Houses were supporting one another, which really emphasised the Quaker ethos of community.”
There were many stellar performances from our talented students whether singing, dancing or on instrumentals, but the overall House Music victory for 2024 was carried for the second year running by Cadbury House; congratulations Cadbury!
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