Harrogate pupils hit the top note in music extravaganza

Pupils from a Harrogate school took centre stage in front of more than 1,000 people for the school’s biggest showcase of musical talent in its calendar.

The musical maestros from Ashville played a starring role as they sang, drummed and strummed through a three-hour extravaganza at the town’s Royal Hall, which this year had a theme for the first time – A Night at the Movies.

Every pupil in Ashville Senior School took part in the annual House Music Competition, which is the culmination of weeks of demanding work and is fully coordinated by the pupil House Captains and Musical Directors.

Laura Jackson, Head of Senior School of Ashville said: “Many congratulations to all our performers.

"A Night at the Movies celebrated much more than musical achievement, it strengthened our community spirit and showed what pupils can accomplish when they work together.

“Behind every performance lay an enormous amount of hard work, preparation and commitment from pupils across all four Houses.

“Special recognition must go to the House Musical Directors, who took on the considerable responsibility of choosing repertoire, organising performers and leading rehearsals.

"The dedication, creativity and leadership they demonstrated in inspiring others, and bringing these performances to life, were truly awe-inspiring.

“Pupils demonstrated the remarkable breadth of musical talent at Ashville. From expressive solos to accomplished ensembles and spirited House choirs, every performance contributed to an engaging and hugely enjoyable occasion.”

Finley Tuck won the Instrumental Solo category with a stunning performance of Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor. Eva Jalal came first in the Vocal Solo category with her moving rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.

Windermere House demonstrated exceptional teamwork to win both ensemble categories.

The winning Instrumental Ensemble performed an arrangement of Kung Fu Fighting, featured in Kung Fu Panda, bringing together violins, flutes, trumpets, electric guitar and bass, among other instruments.

A fully harmonised rendition of Adele’s Skyfall, from the James Bond movie, secured the Vocal Ensemble award, showcasing musical collaboration.

The Large House Choir category was won by Ellis House, whose performance of September, featured in Night at the Museum. The teamwork and enthusiasm showed helped Ellis to be crowned overall House Music champions, followed by Windermere, Riverdale and Duckworth Houses.

Adjudicator John Dunford, a highly accomplished choral director, organist and adjudicator was given the task of choosing the winners.