School Matters 36

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Montefiore House

Choral entry, The Monkees’ I’m a Believer, included costume and well-rehearsed choreography aplenty. Paget House closed the show. An impressively large orchestra, under Thomas Boyle’s leadership, performed their Classical entry: Theme from Jurassic Park . Elton John’s I’m Still Standing was their Pop entry, with Deniz Yilmazkaya leading the band, and lead vocalists Maddy Hunter, Brooks Finkel and Bella Howard delivering the glitzy Glam Rock chic. Paget’s Choral was Cee Lo Green’s 2010 masterpiece Forget You with some well-tuned and effective harmonies. Ms Corderoy had an unenviable job in deciding the overall winner. Although coming in second place in both Classical and Pop categories, which were each won by Brearley House, a barnstorming win in the Choral put Montefiore House in pole position by the margin of a single point! Well done to Ms Bennett’s Montefiore House on their well-deserved victory and thanks to Ms Corderoy, the Heads of House, House Captains and all pupil leaders for such an excellent competition.

HOUSE MUSIC This was Senior 7 and 8 pupils’ first experience of this exhilarating event as each of the four Houses presented a Classical, Popular and Choral entry, with the last seeing the whole House sing in unison. Defending champions Findlay House’s Classical entry, Tchaikovsky’s Chants sans paroles was a bold choice: an introspective piano trio. Their Pop entry was The Script’s Breakeven. Here, our Adjudicator, the distinguished conductor, organist and singer Ms Charlotte Corderoy, singled out Alice Maxwell for exceptional leadership from the piano. Their Choral choice was Take That’s 2006 smash hit, Shine. Thoroughly bedecked in yellow ribbon and war paint, Montefiore House’s “Bennett’s Army” launched into their Classical entry: John Williams’s score to Schindler’s List . Flautist Matilda Allard’s solo soared above the orchestral accompaniment under Charlie Tebbutt’s direction. A classy rendition of Valerie followed. Monte’s Choral was Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing in an arrangement that opened with outstanding solos from Ethan Weissenborn and Skye Bishop, before the whole House blew the Sports Hall roof off with the second verse. Brearley House’s Lottie Sanderson’s arrangement of Piazzolla’s Libertango incorporated some stylish playing. Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, the House’s Pop entry, showcased the excellent guitar work of Arthur Mellor, whilst their rousing

Dame Vera Lynn

MUSIC SCHOLARS

DELIGHT THE ROEHAMPTON COMMUNITY Four of our talented Music Scholars, Zephany Coleman, S8, Ethan Auger, S9, Matilda Allard and Esme Perry, S10 entertained guests including the Mayor of Wandsworth at Minstead Gardens Church Hall. The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ‘60+’ cafe in Minstead Gardens and our pupils provided wonderful entertainment while the attendees enjoyed afternoon tea. A particular highlight was Zephany’s closing rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’, the wartime song forever associated with Dame Vera Lynn, which roused the attendees into a mass sing-along to round off proceedings. There was barely a dry eye in the house! Mr Robert Gorrie, Teacher of Music

Brearley House

Francesca Chittenden, Gabriela Febrer, Sam Leslie, Teresa Boyle with Mr Bartlett

JUNIOR CHORAL COURSES Four Senior 8 pupils took themselves off on a Junior Choral Course: a residential week of singing and music-making. They were somewhat surprised when they arrived to bump into Mr Bartlett, who has long been a tutor on these courses. The course was held at Uppingham School, and the programme featured a packed timetable of singing, musicianship classes, and outdoor activities. The pupils covered a huge amount of repertoire, and the course culminated in two concerts: one of classical repertoire, with a programme built around Parry’s epic anthem ‘Hear My Words, Ye People’, and one concert with a more contemporary focus, which incorporated some American classics and an ABBA medley. The pupils excelled themselves.