Oct 1968

MUSIC & DRAMA THE HOUSE INSTRUMENTAL AND HOUSE SINGING COMPETITION held in the Memorial Hall on Friday, 7th June, 1968 at 7-30 p.m.

Adjudicator: PETER ASTON, Esq. This year saw, for the first time, the combination of the competitions for the Baird Cup and the Cape Cup in one night. In order to achieve this, there was an earlier play off for the final round, in which Dronfield, School House and Manor were chosen as finalists for the Baird Cup, and Dronfield, School House, and Queens as finalists for the Cape Cup. The play-off for the Baird Cup came first, and was opened by entries from Dronfield. T. M. Day (piano) played 3 dances in Bulgarian rhythm from Microcosmos Book 6 by Bela l3artOk. He was followed by R. J. S. Martin and C. J. P. Leake—guitar duet playing Blues, and finally Day played Bach's Prelude in B minor on the organ. Mr. Aston remarking on the lively and rhythmic 'performances by Dronfield awarded them 234 marks.

Next came School House with Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 2 in D Minor for piano duet played by P. D. Wilson and R. A. Howat, followed by the Sarabande for French horn and piano by Marcel Poot played by R. A. Howat and P. D. Wilson respectively. Finally, Wilson played Brahms' Rhapsodie in G Minor Op. 79 No. 2. School House were given 204 marks, and Mr. Aston especially remarked on the vigour of the piano duet.

Lastly, Manor opened with P. G. Wood (organ) playing Karg-Elert's Chorale Improvisation. "0 my soul rejoice with gladness". The other two items consisted of two house ensembles—"God bless the Prince of Wales", and Arthur Benjamin's "Soldiers in the distance". The various players were Cooper, Wood, Midgley, Lightowler, Craven, Andrews and Dunn. Manor were awarded 188 marks. The Baird Cup was awarded to Dronfield.

Next came the play-off for the Cape Cup, each house performing the Arethusa as a set song, plus another song of their choice.

This time School House performed first, with a trio from Purcell's King Arthur—"For folded flocks on fruitful plains" sung by R. A. Howat.

P. D. Wilson, and M. P. Baby. The performance of the Arethusa conducted by Howat and accompanied by Wilson was "spirited and vigorous".

School House were awarded 174 marks.

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