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A Wonderful Night of Music: House Music Competition 2026

Before the Half Term break, we came together for our House Music Competition, and what an evening it was. All 7 houses, Aldworth, Beechwood, Chiltern, Ilsley, Lowbury, Perborough and Ridgeway, took to the stage twice: first with a Free Choice performance, and then after the interval with a larger house piece. The hall was full of families, friends and staff, and the cheering for every act was every bit as enthusiastic as the music itself.

Miss Blake from our Music department described it as a fantastic evening filled with music, talent and enthusiasm, and that is exactly how it felt from the audience. Students showed real courage in performing in front of a packed hall, and just as much generosity in supporting their friends and their houses. It was a wonderful celebration of music and school spirit.

Our winners

Congratulations to Ilsley, who were crowned overall winners and closed the evening with the final performance. Congratulations also to Ridgeway, who won Best Vocal Group, and to Perborough, who took home the Free Choice award for Nathan L and Toby H's performance of Meditation by Trowell. The judges had a difficult job, and every house can be proud of what it brought to the stage.

Every house, every performer

Aldworth opened the Free Choice round with Joy, performed by Beren R and Tildy C-M. In the second half, Beren R, Tildy C-M, Martha W, Martha F, Immy N, Bridget B, Eva B, Florence J, Alia P, Lettie P, Kirsty B, Willow M and Roman E brought plenty of energy to Wannabe.

Beechwood gave us Lost in the Woods from Miriam R, Gabi D, Gabby D and Elliot B, followed by What Makes You Beautiful with Miriam R, Gabby D, Elliot B, Faith A, George L, Dougie F, Felix S, Radin Z, Dolcie B, Amelia W, Beatrix G, Estelle S and Harper S.

Chiltern performed Bittersweet Symphony with Elena S, Hadassa S, Betsy P, Daisy M, Mackenzie N and James R, and later Don't Look Back in Anger with Imogen F, Charlotte P, Carys B, Amelia W, Paige F and Mabel A.

Ilsley, our overall winners, performed Love is a Losing Game with Ava E, Jackson A, Zoe K and Wilf A, and then Can You Feel The Love Tonight? with Annabel G, Rosie F, Edward B, Annabel O'D, Siena K, Fern M, Freda C, Imogen C and Libby B.

Lowbury stayed together as one group of twelve for both their performances, You Get What You Give and 5, 6, 7, 8. Well done to Harry O, Ella C, James A, George R, William A, Izzy B, Josh R, Reuben D, William M, Freddie Y, Isabelle G and Holly L.

Perborough won the Free Choice award thanks to Nathan L and Toby H's beautiful performance of Meditation by Trowell. Nathan and Toby then joined Anna O, Aria B, Florence H, Grace G, Melina A, Miley B, Sophia C and Tess D for a joyful Hakuna Matata.

Ridgeway, winners of Best Vocal Group, performed Valerie with Rosie G, Amelie C-M, Lexi N and Isabelle A, and finished their evening with Don't Stop Me Now, sung by Rosie G, Amelie C-M, Emma H, Ines F, Katherine W, Isabelle A, Orla M, Sophie G, Cillian C, Lexi N and Anna C.

Thank you!

An evening like this takes a great deal of work behind the scenes. Our House Student Leaders, Beren R, Tildy C-M, Miriam R, Gabby D, Elliot B, Noah B, Annabel G, Ava E, Harry O, Ella C, Anna C, Nathan L and Rosie G, organised rehearsals, encouraged their teams and led by example.

Thank you to our production team, Hayden F and Mr Hoyle, and to our Music staff, Ms Anderson, Miss Brennecke and Miss Blake, for everything they did to bring the evening together.

Thank you to our judges, Mr Wilson, Mrs Palmer and Tom Scurr, to our friends in Finance, Marketing, Site and Reprographics, and to The Downs School Trust for running the refreshments. Most of all, thank you to our families for coming along and filling the hall with so much support.

We are very proud of every student who performed, and we are already looking forward to next year.