We were delighted to host our inaugural Oakham School Carol Composition Competition for Prep Schools this November. We were thrilled with the response from a range of schools, both in terms of the number of entries and the quality of the work submitted.
First prize was awarded to Mollie in Year 4 from Bilton Grange Preparatory School. The judges were really touched by her charming folk-style melody and original words, as well as the lovely echo effect in the chorus.
Second prize was awarded to Ryan in Year 7 from St Faith’s School. The adjudicators were impressed both by his hard work to set the entire text, including a counter-melody for the final verse, as well as the creative harmonies that he employed.
Third prize was awarded to Archie in Year 7 from Spratton Hall. The judges found his minor setting of the familiar “In the bleak midwinter” text really striking and quite beautiful.
Harry in Year 8 from Edge Grove School was Highly Commended by the judges, who enjoyed the originality of his idiomatic composition, complete with its topical reference to COVID.
Congratulations to the prize winners and all those who entered the competition. If you’d like to hear recordings of the carols, follow us on Twitter (@OakhamSch) and Facebook (/OakhamSchoolMusic) where we will be sharing recordings of their carols as part of our musical Christmas Countdown!