On Monday 5^th February, 38 of our students from across the school represented Great Baddow High School at the Stratford and East London Music Festival singing as members of Choir 16.

The competition was held at St Mary's Church, South Woodford and the Adjudicator was Ben Costello (BMus, PGDip, MA, FRSA, FISM). The choir competed in the U18 Youth Choir Category and placed 2^nd with a rarely awarded Distinction grading.

Mr Bentley and Mr Herbert are incredibly proud of how our students conducted themselves and for the clear joy they took in their singing and the overall experience. We look forward to entering more competitions in the future and continuing the high-level work Choir 16 is achieving.

Particular thanks go to Rosie B and Jasmine A of Year 13 who have been helping prepare the choir by leading sectionals and to the staff that accompanied the trip.

The full adjudicators comments for our two performances were:

Seasons of Love (from RENT the Musical)

Lots of energy in your rousing rendition of this RENT classic Great Baddow. Committed focus, with warm speech quality, energy emerging. Some stylish riffs along the way too. You harnessed some of the later gospel fervour too, and can enjoy this further if you like!

Rise Up (Andra Day)

Well done for being so quickly "in the zone" with so little intro DSL (down-stage Left) group [the Alto section]. Another vivid response to a classic track here, with promising vocal agility, energy through the angular vocal writing. Well-prepared upper (tilt) work too, added suitable warmth to the lyric objectives. Good coordination with the backing track in both numbers.