House music had a full programme last night as the five houses competed in solo and ensemble categories. We were delighted to welcome back Mr Nicholas Moor who was Director of Music at Adams’ Grammar School from 2003-2012. He set up the House Music Competition in 2005. Nick comes from a musical family and, aged eleven, became a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music. Nick is foremost a pianist but added the organ and orchestral percussion to his repertoire. Nick’s career has centred around teaching, performing and composing. He has been a Director of Music in various schools, in both maintained and private sectors. He has adjudicated many music competitions in schools around the country.

“It’s wonderful to be back after twelve years. It’s fantastic to see the evolution of the competition, the talent and dedication of the pupils. This is Fun with a capital F.”

Mr Moor certainly had a difficult task ahead of him The soloists gave it their all with challenging pieces to compete for the chance to perform in the evening and the talent was incredible. With Darwin, Talbot, Owen and Sa’adu each winning a category, the competition couldn’t have been more open as we went into the evening session in front of the parents. However, the on the night it was Darwin who dominated the group ensembles with a clean sweep of the categories!

ONs from the class of 2014, Liam Sargeant and Megan Hollands came back to surprise the students to reprise their roles as Danny and Sandy from Grease to perform solos and as part of a group with the four students that will be performing as Danny and Sandy in this years year's production of Grease. 

Liam left Adams' to read English Language and Literature at Oxford and is now Senior Communications Manager at Proctor and Gamble.

Megan went on to study Medicine and is now an anaesthetist at St Thomas's Hospital in London.

The Winners of House Music 2024

Solo Instrumental Junior: Darwin – Min yen Hsieh, Piano: Un Sospiro, Etude de Concert No. 3 – Liszt

Solo Vocal Junior: Owen – Tharuk Jayasundara, Piano: Moonlight Sonata, 3rd movement – Beethoven

Solo Instrumental Senior: Talbot – Matthew Jacob, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Miserables

Solo Vocal Senior: Sa’adu – Chelsea Walton, I’ll Never Love Again from A Star is Born

Instrumental Ensemble: Darwin – Moanin’ by Bobby Timmons arr. Will Dally & Tytus Dolowy

Choral – Small Choir Set Piece: Darwin – River Deep, Mountain High by Ike & Tina Turner arr. Deke Sharon

Choral – Big Choir Free Choice: Darwin – A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman arr. Krrish Johal & Hannah George

Bands: Darwin – Valerie by The Zutons arr. Will Dally & Joshiah Mak

The Saull Cup, is awarded to the House whose choral ensemble performances combine the best musical performance with the greatest inclusivity across the House. Winner: Darwin.

The Coomer Cup, for outstanding individual performance, was presented to Will Dally of Darwin.

The House Trophy, in 3rd place Owen, in 2nd place Talbot and in 1st place Darwin.

A win for Darwin is all the more poignant, as Mrs Bowater will be stepping down as Head of Darwin House at the end of term and Mrs Coomer, a "Darwin mum through and through" will be leaving at the end of the school year. House music won't be the same without her!