House Harmony and House Shout are always eagerly anticipated and lively events which ensure this time-honoured tradition retains all the necessary passion and intrigue year-to-year.
2023 was certainly no different, in fact House Harmony lit the touch paper with an absorbing final, where any one of half a dozen houses could have quite easily walked away with the trophy, such was the high standard set this year.
Turner, Preshute, Mill Mead, Morris, Ivy and Elmhurst are worthy of special mention for both polished, and in some cases ambitious choices, with Ivy eventually running out as winners, with Morris a (very) close second and Elmhurst receiving a highly commended.
The adjudicator for both competitions this year was Anna Tilbrook, an eminent répétiteur, choral coach and recently a member of the jury for the televised Cardiff Singer of the World Competition – so we were in good hands. For both competitions, she certainly had her work cut out in the unenviable task of selecting her winners.
House Shout proved as tricky as House Harmony to judge, with all categories offering strong performances awash with variety and colour.
The ‘Mixed House’ award was particularly fiercely contended with Preshute the eventual winners (Littlefield were the very worthy runners up), Morris won the Girls (Elmhurst runners up) and C3 the Boys (B1 runners up). An overall champion was then drawn from the winning three and for the first time in years Morris were crowned as winners. A great occasion on the eve of half-term.
Bravo to all.
Philip Dukes
Artistic Director
House Harmony
House Shout
