HOUSE MUSIC Corfe House’s night of glory
It was a triumph – for College and especially for Corfe House. The Christ’s College Parents’ Association House Music Festival returned to the Christchurch Town Hall for the first time in 10 years on Thursday 6 August, and Corfe House made no mistake about dominating the night. It took out three of the four categories on offer, with Condell’s in hot pursuit. In fact, adjudicator Sarah Lowe, Director of Music at The Cathedral Grammar School said there was just one point between the two Houses for the inaugural award of Parents’ Association Overall Winner. The packed town hall was right behind the performers, enthusiastically supporting every choir and ensemble as the programme unfolded.
The Big Band set the tone from the outset, fresh from its silver success at the ARA JazzQuest the previous weekend. Director Claire Oliver led the band through A Song for You and The Defibrillator with a powerful solo from saxophonist Ben Davis. What followed without any interval, was the kind of musical experience College boys love. Spirited renditions, some with action accompanying the lyrics, and all delivered with real panache. The audience loved the energy and the vibe! There was everything from School House’s Piano Man with Daniel Qi on piano, Charlie Hanson conducting and Ben Davis on harmonica, to Rolleston House’s Hooked on a Feeling with George Lill conducting, Oscar Aynsley on guitar, Josh Ford on guitar, Tim Stewart on bass guitar and Ethan Grant on drums.
For only the second time in the history of the event School House had a small vocal ensemble competing, singing Lennon and McCartney’s Blackbird . Jacobs House Choir also got a shout out from the adjudicator for their I’ll be there for you – the choruses, in particular. She said she had been looking for musicality, articulation and a sense of engagement with the audience and she complimented all the choirs for their efforts. College Director of Music Robert Aburn praised the Houses for their musical commitment to the event and in particular, the way the students arrange their own imaginative backings to support their House’s song. In many cases students arranged the music for their own small vocal ensembles. “And this adds to the creativity and musical success of the evening.”
Christ’s College Canterbury
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