Millfield – House Song 2015

28 Oct 2015

Millfield recently held its annual celebration of choral singing in front of an audience of parents. The whole-school House Song event saw seven house groupings compete for the title of ‘best chamber choir’ and ‘best main choir’, with an individual prize for ‘best conductor’. This year’s theme for the full choirs was songs by Abba.

Pupils took the lead to choose their songs and plan arrangements, rehearsals and conducting. Competing wearing house ties, coloured ribbons and buttonholes, each group performed two songs, one by the chamber choir, and one by the main choir, comprising of every member of the houses.

The contest was adjudicated by Shaun Bracey, Director of Music at Port Regis Prep School. Shaun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music and won the Bologna International Composing Competition in 2002.

The winner of the chamber choir category was Choir D for their rendition of ‘Rock with You’ by Michael Jackson. Mr Bracey told the pupils from St Anne’s, Kernick and Joan’s Kitchen that they should “go into a recording studio and record immediately”.

Overall winners were Choir E, consisting of Etonhurst, Overleigh and Great houses. Mr Bracey branded their arrangements as “imaginative and inventive” as the main choir performed their version of ‘Super Trouper’ and the chamber choir put together a mixed arrangement of three current chart songs for their chamber choir piece.

Winner of best conductor, judged not only on performance but management of rehearsal and leadership skills, was Matilda McCrum. Matilda took charge of the Etonhurst, Overleigh and Great grouping and so was victorious in two categories.

Year 9 pupils wrapped up the evening with a performance which received rapturous applause and standing ovation from the whole school.

The retiring collection at the end of the evening raised £850 for the three school charities.