On Thursday 16 October, Bedford School’s much-loved House Singing event once again brought the community together in spectacular fashion. Held in the majestic Great Hall, the evening was a vibrant celebration of music, camaraderie and school spirit — with the hall packed to the rafters with parents, staff and boys.
As the lights dimmed and the first notes rang out, voices filled the open space in a wave of energy and harmony. The unison song arrangements were a crowd-pleasing mix of classics and contemporary hits — from the haunting tones of Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams to the joyful bounce of Madness’ It Must Be Love and the infectious energy of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club.
The audience was treated to the traditional spectacle of boys standing to attention at the conductor’s command — a moment of discipline and pride — followed by the ever-anticipated flamboyance of the conductors’ jackets, adding a welcome splash of colour and personality to the proceedings.
Then came the part songs, described by Director of Music Jonathan Sanders as “a totally different kettle of fish — musically demanding and rich in harmony”. These performances showcased the depth of talent across the Houses, with beautifully arranged renditions including Billie Eilish’s Lovely, The Kinks’ You Really Got Me, and Billy Joel’s The Longest Time.
We were honoured to welcome Hilary Davan Wetton, Musical Director of the City of London Choir, as adjudicator. After the performances and while he gathered his notes, the teachers took to the stage to perform Bedford by the River, complete with enthusiastic audience participation.
After thoughtful feedback from Mr Davan Wetton, the results were announced:
- Unison Song Winners: St Peter’s/Talbots
- Part Song Winners: A three-way winning tie between Ashburnham/Sandersons, Crescent/Pemberley and Paulo Pontine/Redburn!
- Overall Winners: Ashburnham/Sanderson’s
The evening didn’t end there. Back in the boarding houses, the celebrations continued with pizza, a slightly later bedtime and — of course — more singing!
