Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Hannoir wrote:Remember, GrE is the musical house

Erm - what do you mean by that?

My informant tells me that GrW was better on the Unison song (which they won) and far better on the part song (which they lost due to some confusion in the judge's marks). In short, Gr W won hands down in reality if not in fact.

Agreed! And judging by the school`s response to the results.... but then I expect i`m somewhat biased and anyone from East would say I`m talking nonsense!!

Ruthie-Baby wrote:

eloisec wrote:

Great Plum wrote:It never happened in the 90's - I think it has only been reintroduced in the last 5 years or so.

I think it still existed in the early 90s as I seem to remember being forced to sing (which I can't do) some annoying tunes. Those awful rehearsals in house being watched over by power-hungry Grecians ... happy memories, not!

I quite enjoyed it. I remember being allowed into senior (deps and Gecs only) common room in Col B, poss on my 3rd form, to listen to Feelin' Groovy by Simon and Garfunkel, I think an LP but it might have been tape. We all crowded in and sang along, with the parts and all. Great fun and I still like S & G!

Ruth is right, our 3rd form was the last time it happened during the 90's. Do you remember Mid A doing the theme to the Monkees (changed to the MIDA) ? I believe that was the year before young plum started, which would explain his lack of recollection. I thought it seemed like a good laugh. Sadly Maine B were not involved. We were the square house though.

Okay, one more time, Is GrE a particularly musical house or do all the musical specialist go there.

I don't think we ever held it or if we did, it wasn't taken seriously.

When did it start to be a serious event?

GRE is no more musical than GRW. iN fact this year GRW has most of the school`s best singers,who sing in "Scola "cantorum" - a very select little group - la creme de la creme. GRW also provided the musical accompanists for the majority of the houses in this year`s competition.
I really don`t think anyone house can be deemed to be more musical than any other.
The comp. has been reinstated in the last few years and although was taken a bit light-heartedly by some at first, the standard improves every year - so someone must be taking it seriously!! There are certainly plenty of awards up for grabs!!

Scone Lover wrote:Okay, one more time, Is GrE a particularly musical house or do all the musical specialist go there.

No - I think Hannah is just trying to wind us up.

In Jonathan's pod, among the 4 students on his floor, is an organ scholar and another who has just won a choral scholarship at New College, Oxford. I am sure there are other noted musicians in the house, and probably nearly as many in Grecians East.

DavebytheSea wrote:

Hannoir wrote:Remember, GrE is the musical house

Erm - what do you mean by that?

My informant tells me that GrW was better on the Unison song (which they won) and far better on the part song (which they lost due to some confusion in the judge's marks). In short, Gr W won hands down in reality if not in fact.

well, East just see Grecians West as sore losers... Muddling of marks? West were quite good, but on the night clearly East shone above.

And before we start counting Schola Cantorum members to measure excellence (and yes, some of us are from east!), don't forget to note the talented jazz soloists (often prominent with Big Band) who seem to reside entirely in East, and who brought down the house, by all accounts.

But I'm sure that this sort of argument will still be going at the reunions in years to come!

if West were only "quite good" , how come the applause and reaction of the audience was MUCH greater than after East`s performance???!!??

No, West know that the judges always "play fair" and award one prize to each house!!

Mark1 wrote:But I'm sure that this sort of argument will still be going at the reunions in years to come!

As it does every year between East and West!!
Rivalry between Avenue houses was never as great as between East and West!!!

I`ll shut up now then !!!!

Of course, everyone knows that the east side of the avenue is better!

East is Best.

Deb GP wrote:East is Best.

Doesn't even rhyme properly! Try substituting a "W" for the "E" to get a more satisfactory result.

.... and I am neutral never having been in either.

Deb GP wrote:East is Best.

Well said!

But the more commonly used rhyming word is 'beast', with an even more positive meaning!

I think davebythesea is hardly showing neutrality - spreading vicious western propaganda would be better

But Mark, I ask, were you actually there?

eloisec wrote:

Great Plum wrote:It never happened in the 90's - I think it has only been reintroduced in the last 5 years or so.

I think it still existed in the early 90s as I seem to remember being forced to sing (which I can't do) some annoying tunes. Those awful rehearsals in house being watched over by power-hungry Grecians ... happy memories, not!

Eloise Carpenter, I take great offence at that, being one of those power-hungry Grecians you mention. Was it that awful? Actually I think our year organised it on our Deps too as the current Grecians weren't very musical, so that would have been your 3rd form and LE (?). Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive" was a glorious moment, also "The Boyfriend" by someone (Cole Porter?) and I'm sure we did a Buddy Holly number one year. Incidentally, we won on both occasions. Does anyone remember Mid A doing 'The Monster Mash' sometime in the mid-80s and being docked points for incorporating overt sexual gestures in their performance? Vonny must have been there (as a spectator)? The competion also ran at Hertford. Tara someone took 1s to victory in 1983 or 4 doing The Carpenters "On the Bayou (sp?)". It's one of the great highlights of the musical calendar, so I'm v glad it's been brought back. What a shame Plum missed out.

well, nothing like being admonished however many years later by your seniors

I can honestly say I don't remember you ever being one of the 'power happy' ones so please don't take any offence, but there were ones who seemed to take great delight in making certain junior years lives pretty miserable at times, and I'm sorry but I'm not going to pretend they didn't.

I remember singing 'I will survive' on one year. Esther Maughan always seemed to be very involved in organising the singing, or is that my imagination?