The annual House Music Competition proved to be a spectacular evening, showcasing the incredible depth of musical talent, confidence, and collaborative spirit across all our houses. From crooning classics to rock anthems and pop choreography, every student who took the stage delivered memorable performances that truly lit up the Main Hall.
Knightorms set the tone for the evening with a big, rousing rendition of Oasis's "Don’t Look Back in Anger," filling the room with collective energy.
Their standout moment came from Ernie Tuppen, who delivered a supremely smooth solo of "New York, New York." Channeling the essence of Frank Sinatra, Ernie showed genuine artistry, giving the classic its full "razzmatazz." The house band, featuring Beau and Pearce (on vocal solos), alongside Harry, Tom, Ernie, and Elliot, closed out with a performance of Coldplay's "Yellow" that was full of verve and style.
Dortereis brought infectious energy and excellent choreography with their big song, Madonna’s "Vogue." The performance had genuine style and dance-like grace, with impressive rapping and moves that immediately set the atmosphere alight.
The house was also home to a magnificent solo, with Siena delivering a soulful and powerful rendition of her chosen song, ‘I Put A Spell On You’ showcasing beautiful artistry. The band’s gritty, faithful performance of Fleetwood Mac’s "The Chain" was a highlight, with a large line-up led by Brooke, Angel, Poppy, and Archie. A special mention must go to Eli on bass for a virtuosic display of talent!
Next, Crosstud owned the stage with their brilliant, high-energy take on the Spice Girls' hit, "Stop."
The air in the room became electric during the solo performance by Macarena, who sang "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman. Her vocal talent was truly spellbinding, imbuing the song with the sense of beauty we remember from the film and creating a real tingle in the atmosphere. The band kept the spirit high with Elton John’s "I’m Still Standing," featuring soloists Taleen, Yovana, Ollie, and George, with a solid beat provided by Tom on drums.
Then, Camberton offered an interesting and eclectic take on Cher's "Believe" for their big song.
Their soloist, Ella, delivered a hugely powerful and affecting rendition of a classic by Etta James: ‘At Last’. Ella poured immense energy into the performance, showcasing a voice of tremendous power. Their house band tackled "Sweet Home Alabama," led by Massi on solo vocals and a tight ensemble including Nina, Mia, Arya, Woody (guitar), Jasmine (keys), Orlando (drums), and Ed (bass).
To finish the evening, Bloomsicker gave a heartfelt rendition of Michael Jackson's "Heal The World," capturing the original's precise phrasing and choral spirit.
The spotlight shone brightly on soloist Aliya, who sang "Feeling Good." Aliya utterly owned the stage with her confidence and command, making the classic song entirely her own. They finished the night with an explosive, professional-edge performance of Guns N’ Roses' "Sweet Child O’ Mine." The band, featuring Tom, Katie, Lulu, Jack, and Finn, was brilliantly fronted by vocalist Cordelia Fahey, with Larissa Starkey on rhythm guitar. Their energy truly set the MPH alight!
Congratulations to all the students who participated! The dedication, practice, and sheer joy on stage made this year’s House Music Competition an event to remember.
We were delighted to welcome back Rosa Witts and Ed Stokes, both alumni at Bede’s, who adjudicated the evening. Rosa has gone on to forge an exciting vocal career, finishing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music as a young jazz artist and Ed Stokes continues to work with an array of artists through his own production and mixing studio in Surrey. Both performed at Cabaret two years ago and continue to be part of the wider Bede’s family.
Ultimately, there had to be a winner, which went overall to Crosstud. The Big Song was won by Dortereis (Vogue), the solo song was won by Crosstud (Macarena) and the band category was won by Bloomsicker (Guns n’ Roses). The whole evening was a wonderful testament to community and Bede’s spirit.
