CVMS Pupils Compete for the Battle of the Bands Trophy

Published Tuesday 29 October 2024

Toby Y and Daniel W playing Message in a Bottle by The Police

On Friday 25 October, four pupil bands competed in Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School’s first ever Battle of the Bands to lift the trophy and be named the first Battle of the Bands champions at our Giving Day 2024 finale.

Pupils were tasked with choosing and/or composing their own music and rehearsing independently ahead of the event. Some of our bands have been playing for several years whilst others had never played together, nor on the instrument they played, until two weeks prior!

Several bands went through a rigorous audition process but only four made the final, the winner of which was to be decided by an audience vote on the night. Music ranged from The Police to Dizzy Gillespie to Commodores, but all had one thing in common: a determination to win.

Well done to all of the bands that competed and congratulations to Nathaniel H, Fifth Form, Biruk C, Fifth Form, Leonardo G J, Third Form, and Mina K, Upper Sixth for winning the audience vote. In a tight competition, the votes were cast and the band Tuck That Shirt In came out victorious with their rendition of Hotel California by Eagles.

Tuck That Shirt In lifting the Battle of the Bands Trophy

Thank you to Mr Jozwik, OV and Music Assistant, for auditioning the bands and organising the event. Special thanks also to Mr Cardozo, Teacher of Mathematics & PSHE Co-ordinator, for designing the lighting for the evening, and to the Vaughan Parents Association for running the bar.

We would also like to thank the staff, alumni, parents, governors and pupils that came out in support to watch our bands compete. It was an amazing event where pupils got to truly shine and your support was immensely appreciated by the pupils.

Ms Openibo, SENDCo, commented: “It was an excellent event where we got to see a different side to our pupils; their personalities really came through on stage. I think this will inspire our other pupils to form their own bands!”

Ms Berhane, current parent, added: “I am so proud of the boys and all that they have achieved. My son had never played the bass until two weeks ago and he has loved the opportunity to learn a new skill and practice each day. It has been a really positive experience for him to look forward to and focus on around studying for his GCSEs.”

In addition to our pupil bands, the audience was treated to a special performance from our very own staff band comprising of Mr Jozwick on drums, Mr Price, Director of Music, on bass, and Mr MacKinnon, Graduate Music Assistant, on keyboard and vocals. This was certainly a performance to remember!

CVMS Staff Band