It has been a long two years since this much-loved and traditional highlight in the school’s musical calendar has taken place and judging by the smiles on everyone’s face, it could not have come sooner!
We are, of course, talking about the hotly contested Bedford School House Singing competition, which took place against a backdrop of rapturous applause and cheers in our Great Hall on Thursday 14 October.
Whilst audience numbers were kept lower than usual, there was no mistaking the electric atmosphere and excitement as the boys gathered in their houses to battle for the House Singing trophy. The usual Bedford School traditions, such as the increasingly dramatic way in which boys stand up in perfect unison and the stomping of feet, were a joy to witness.
As well as the necessary theatricals, it was of course the singing that everyone was waiting for. Unison songs were up first, and it was the defending champions, St Peter’s who took to the stage first to sing a touching version of Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved. A tough opening to follow, but St Cuthbert’s did themselves justice with Counting Stars by One Republic and Paulo Pontine ‘sung it louder’ with Gary Barlow’s Sing.
Bromham’s version of King by Years and Years continued the pace, but the stakes were really raised when Ashburnham belted out Someone to You by Banners, followed by Crescent’s Yesterday by the Beatles, which ended the unison songs on a beautiful note.
The part songs proved more of a challenge, but the boys did not disappoint us with highlights from St Peter’s who demonstrated their ability to harmonise with an up-beat arrangement of The Boy from New York City by The Ad Libs with Ashburnham giving them a run for their money with a stunning arrangement and, in this case rather comical lyrics, of Sam Cooke’s Wonderful World.
We were honoured to welcome Andrew Kennedy, Director of Music at Uppingham School, as adjudicator. While Andrew gathered his thoughts and went about making the tough decision of choosing a winner, we were all treated to TikTok sensation The Wellerman Sea Shanty sung expertly by a selection of teaching and support staff.
Finally, after some valuable and constructive feedback from the adjudicator, the winners were announced to rapturous applause and the rapid stomping of feet.
The winners of House Singing 2021 are:
Unison – Ashburnham
Part song – Ashburnham
Overall winners – Ashburnham
Afterwards it was back to the boarding houses for the after-parties, where boys celebrated with pizza, a slightly later night than usual and more singing!
Joss Sanders, Director of Music said, “It was an absolute pleasure to hear the boys singing their hearts out last night at the House Singing Competition. It is so encouraging to see the boys totally committed to doing the best for their house, and producing some excellent outcomes, especially in the Unison Songs!”
