Sixes Music Competition

18th October, 2011

Last Thursday Packwood’s Malcolm Mitchell Theatre resounded to the strains of some classic rock and roll as the children competed in the school’s annual inter-house music competition.

Packwood’s Head of Music, Mrs Boutwood, had spent many class music lessons earlier in the term helping the children prepare this year’s set song, We Go Together, from the soundtrack of the film Grease. In addition, each Six performed a song of its own choice as well as being represented by three soloists.

First on stage were Bradshaw Boyces whose soloists were Jemima P (clarinet), Chan K (saxophone) and Sophia P (piano). Chan also accompanied his Six on the drums as they sang their chosen song, Hound Dog – a performance enhanced by dancing and colourful costumes.

Harcourt Clarkes followed with Linden G on piano, Bertie J on clarinet and Llyr H playing a drum solo and staying on the drums for the Six’s outstanding performance of Blue Suede Shoes.

Third in the running order was McFerran Wilsons who also added some costumes and dancing to their energetic performance of Shake, Rattle and Roll. They were accompanied by Chris D on electric guitar who had also given an excellent solo performance of Johnny B Goode. Rory F played a solo saxophone piece and Ella D and Alice R sang a duet.

Manning Sodens wrapped up the evening's entertainment with solos from Gideon T (piano), Flo W (cornet) and Olivia H (flute) followed by their rendition of We Go Together and their chosen song Rock Around the Clock which had Mr Webster bopping and dancing at the back of the theatre like Bill Haley himself.

Adjudicating this year was Mr James Davies, a former colleague of Mrs Boutwood’s from King’s School, Tynemouth. In his summing up Mr Davies was full of praise for the verve and enthusiasm of the children’s singing and playing. Among many others, special mention was made of Llyr’s excellent drumming, Chris’s performance on guitar and Flo’s cornet solo which she played beautifully and confidently despite having to re-start the piece. The final marks were extremely close with fewer than ten points between first and last place but the winners on this occasion, for the first time in many years, were Harcourt Clarkes – a decision greeted with jubilant cheers from children and staff alike!