House Singing Competition

16 March 2024

There are few whole School events that can capture the spirit and ethos of Stowe as well as the annual House Singing Competition and this year’s competition produced exceptional performances. 

The process began with the Houses performing a House Song in one of three Heats held in the Ugland Auditorium at the start of March. The performances were judged by two members of the Music Department using a bespoke marking criteria which is shared with Houseparents at the start of the Lent Term. The top six Houses from across all three Heats progress into the Final. The same process is repeated for the Part Song competition where again, the top six scoring Houses proceed to the Final. 

The Final was held in the School Chapel on March 16 and adjudicated by Mr Huw Jones, Director of Music and Assistant Head at John Lyon School and Mr Jonathan Kingston, Head of Vocal Studies at Stowe. 

The Houses and songs were as follows: 

House Song 

Cheshire – 'Superstar' 

Cobham – 'Uptown Girl' 

Grafton – 'Moana' 

Lyttelton – 'Umbrella' 

Queen's – 'Rumour Has It' 

Part Song 

Chandos- 'Somewhere Only We Know' 

Cheshire – 'Can't Catch Me Now' 

Lyttelton – 'City of Stars' 

Stanhope – 'Mash Up' 

West – 'Stay' 

Queen's – 'The Bella’s Finale' 

Mr Jones provided each House Song and Part Song group with supportive and insightful feedback at the end of the competition and commented on the excellent standard of performances and the outstanding conduct of all involved. It was particularly moving to see Stoics support peers in other Houses following their performances, especially those Stoics who attended the Final despite their own House not having progressed. 

The competition was closely fought, and the winners were as follows 

Part Song Winners – Chandos 

House Song Winners – Queen's and Cobham 

Overall Winners – Queen's 

Thank you to all the Houseparents and Music Department Staff who supported the Stoics to produce such an outstanding event. We look forward to next year’s competition in the Lent Term.