News Article

Bedford Modern Junior School held their Third Annual House Music Competition on the afternoon of Thursday 4th February in the Christopher Fry Hall.

Guest adjudicator was Mark Horton from Biddenham Upper School, who usually visits BMS each year bringing with him members of the Biddenham Upper School Steel Pan Group.  Mr Horton, who specialises in composing contemporary music, playing the electric guitar and is a very dedicated amateur actor, was very excited about coming to hear the Bedford Modern Junior School House Music Competition.

The House Music Competition delivered a riveting afternoon celebrating the pupil's own music-making.  Each House put in tremendous effort to put together their own renditions of some great songs.  Small groups and soloists from within the Houses also worked hard for our entertainment and some have tackled the latest chart toppers on their own instruments with very little help.

This year's song choices offered some great contrast ranging from the satirical "In the Navy" to the Cohen classic, "Hallelujah".  The audience heard the Black-eyed Peas on 'cello trio and a tribute to Michael Jackson with beautiful solos from the Year 6 pupils. 

Mark Horton said, "Judging today's House Music Competition was so difficult; in fact it was scarily difficult!  Well done to everyone who took part and I was very impressed with the confidence of all the young performers especially the soloists who stood up and performed on their own, something which is phenomenally difficult."

Dance Ejay Winner - Annabel Cox from Poole House won the Dance Ejay category.  Dance Ejay is a computer dance music programme.  "There was a lovely introduction to this piece and it had great overall structure."

Best Solo Performance (Years 3-4) - Priyanka Kotak from Taylor House.  "Priyanka played with confidence and captured the spirit of the piece perfectly."

Best Solo Performance (Years 5-6) - Isabelle Glanvill from Liddle House.  "Isabelle was very expressive and showed excellent confidence."

Best Group - Taylor House.  "Taylor House showed lots of energy in their performances and there was lots of smiling!"

Best House Song  - Poole House

Best Overall Presentation - Kaye House. "Kaye House had brilliant comperes, lots of smiling and good eye contact with the audience."

Best Programme and four piece music selection - Taylor House

Best House Spirit - Poole House.  "Poole House because of their tremendous support."

"It has been a delight to judge this year's Junior School House Music Competition and I hope everyone keeps up their music-making," said Mark Horton.

Nick Yelland, Junior School Headmaster thanked Mark Horton for sparing his time to come to BMS and judge the competition, adding, "All four whole Junior School House songs were good and this is what it is all about."