Superb day in Music Competition finals!

This afternoon was a wonderful celebration of the musical talent of pupils at Repton in the inter-House music competitions. It was fantastic to hear such a range of talent and some complex musical pieces performed with real panache and confidence by all the performers.

Charlotte Graham 5M performed superbly in the Junior Classical Song section of the competition with her rendition of “Les Berceaux” by Faure. This was a measured and confident performance and the adjudicator was highly complementary about Charlotte’s tone and connection with the audience. Charlotte won this section of the competition, and retained her winning title from 2009-10. The second section of the afternoon saw her performing again in the Junior Girls Popular Song. This time she sang “I’ll know” by F Loesser. The adjudicator again praised her superb voice and the power of her connection with the audience. He was also hugely enthusiastic about the way she used different shades of tone in her performance.

In the Senior Girls Classical Song competition, Kiki Betts Dean U6M was highly commended by the adjudicator for her mesmerising rendition of “Heart the Seat of Soft Delight” by Handel, from Acis and Galatea. She showed her extraordinary musicality in her performance of this piece and was able to hold the audience with her confident handling of the complexities of the song. The other Mitre performer in this section of the competition was Emma Monteiro U6M. Emma confidently introduced her choice of song and set the scene for the audience of her choice of “O del mio dolce ardour” by Gluck. This performance was wonderful and there were several moments which rendered the audience into a still silence as Emma captured their attention. Her superb performance was awarded with the winning cup – a huge achievement given the class contained such a talented group of musicians.

The final aspect of the girl’s singing competition was the Senior Girls Popular Song. Emma Monteiro was also performing in this class. A quick change of outfit, left her looking completely different as she took to the stage for her rendition of “Typically English” by Newley. This was an amusing song, which Emma performed superbly. She had added many of her own interpretations and the audience were transfixed as she moved around the stage, adding her own dramatic interpretations to the piece. The adjudicator was clear to highlight that it was her wholehearted performance of the song that led to her being awarded the cup for this aspect of the competition – giving her a clean sweep in both the Classical and Popular sections of the competition.

Also performing in the Senior Strings competition was Emma Stoll L6M. She played “Allegro appassionato” by Saint-Saens. This was another superb and polished performance and showed Emma to be a talented cello player. The adjudicator especially commented on her technical ability, which he felt was highly developed. Emma did brilliantly to be awarded a highly commended position in this highly competitive class.

It is a real pleasure to see such a high standard of music being performed. Well done indeed to all the girls, who confidently performed in front of adjudicator Jonathan Sanders, newly appointed as Director of Music at Bedford School, and who have been superb ambassadors for both the music department and the House today. We are very proud indeed of you all.