The sounds of singing, live instruments and enthusiastic House spirit filled the Auditorium this week as students came together for House Music 2026, one of the most anticipated traditions on the Marsden calendar.
This year's programme opened with a moving performance of the waiata Pepeha by Six60, with each House presenting its own interpretation through original arrangements. Students then performed a second piece chosen by their House Captains, creating a programme that ranged from uplifting pop anthems to timeless favourites.
This year's chosen songs were:
- Baber: Hall of Fame – The Script
- Hadfield-Beere: Don’t Stop Movin’ – S Club 7
- Jellicoe: Price Tag – Jessie J
- Johnson: I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
- Richmond: Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- Swainson-Riddiford: Try Everything – Shakira
What makes House Music such a special occasion is the level of student leadership behind every performance. House Captains, arrangers, conductors, soloists and instrumentalists worked together over many weeks to shape each performance, encouraging participation across their Houses and bringing their musical ideas to life on stage.
One of the afternoon's biggest surprises came from a group of Marsden staff, who returned to the House Music stage for the first time in many years. Performing a humorous song written to the tune of My Favourite Things, the staff had clearly been rehearsing behind the scenes. Their clever lyrics, packed with references familiar to the Marsden community, were met with enthusiastic applause and plenty of singing along from students.
Our thanks go to MCs Jessica Caldwell (Head of Performing Arts) and Jen Chisholm (Head of Activities & Events) for expertly guiding the afternoon, and to guest adjudicator Michael Fletcher, whose extensive experience as a musician, choral director and educator brought valuable insight to this year's competition.
Congratulations to all of this year's award winners:
- Best House Choir: Jellicoe
- Best Small Group: Swainson-Riddiford
- Best Instrumentalists: Baber
- Best Arrangement of Waiata: Hadfield-Beere
- Best Arrangement of Chosen Song: Jellicoe
- Best Performance of Waiata: Johnson
- Best Performance of Chosen Song: Richmond
- Most Beautiful Choral Sound: Hadfield Beere
Overall Results
- 2nd Place: Jellicoe
- 1st Place (House Music Champions 2026): Hadfield-Beere
Congratulations to every performer, arranger, accompanist, House Captain, staff member and volunteer who contributed to another unforgettable House Music competition. Your creativity, commitment and House spirit made this year's event another one to remember.
