The House Singing Competition

Friday, 17th February

The 19th House Singing Competition opened in a state of nervous excitement. Temple were favourites to win, having won for the past three years. This year, all the songs were chosen from the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the adjudicator, Percy Lovell Esq., lecturer at Newcastle University was chosen particularly aptly, as he was well-versed in the Savoy operas, having produced almost all of them at one time or another.

School House opened, with "Strange Adventure" from 'Yeomen of the Guard'. With much talent to draw from, a high standard was expected, and achieved. The song was not very well balanced, the bass straying somewhat. Although there was interesting chording in the tune, the song was 'lost harmonically'.

The Manor entry of "Never mind the Why and Wherefore' (H.M.S. Pinafore) was noted for its verve. The treble part deserved and won praise. This proved to be the highest rated of the Part Songs.

Queen's chose a well-known but difficult piece from the Mikado, `Brightly dawns our wedding day'. With four strong singers, particularly the treble and tenor, the balance, and tone, particularly in the quieter sections, were excellent. There was a lack of control however, and the difficulty of the song did not do the singers justice.

The Rise, with Now to the banquet' from the Sorcerer was musically good, although the interesting and amusing words were not done full justice, and there was rather a lack of tempo. The three singers, all of whom were excellent, made use of the good arrangement.

Temple sang When the buds are blossoming' from auddigore', and although they possessed superlative talent, there were too few people, and a number of wrong notes were evident. This was not a very good choice. `Faint heart never won fair lady' from `Iolanthe' was the Grove entry. 2 basses and two tenors were described as singing musically, though the tempo was sluggish. They had good diction and soft harmonics. A rousing cheer went up as they left the stage.

Drorffield House began 'A British Tar is a soaring soul' (H.M.S. Pinafore) in stirring fashion, but could not keep this up. This dashing description of a Victorian sailor was not lively enough, and the tempo varied in places, though on the whole it was well sung, and well led by the conductor.

With the particular musical talents of the Houses now exhibited, it was now up to the Houses as a whole (literally in some cases), to show their paces in what has been described as the 'House Shout', otherwise known as the Unison Song.

The Manor began with 'There lived a king' (Gondoliers), which was complimented on the clarity of words, the use of a semi-chorus and chorus, and its vivacity.

Temple chose a pleasant and simple song, 'I know a youth' from auddigore'. The expression was good, and the choir well controlled, and an intelligent use was made of scho.

The Sentry's Song (Iolanthe) was the Grove entry. This was a lively song with interesting words, which were sometimes lost. The attack was