What began as an ordinary Monday morning quickly transformed into something spectacular at Chinthurst, as the hall was turned into a concert arena alive with lights, sound and anticipation. Upper School arrived to the unmistakable buzz of a live gig, with a stage set to rival Wembley itself. At the heart of it all were Year 6, ready to showcase weeks of rehearsals as they stepped into the spotlight for an unforgettable Battle of the Bands.

Since the beginning of this half term, Year 6 have been forming their own bands, rehearsing together and preparing for their big debut. For many, it was their first experience performing as part of a band and what a debut it proved to be. Swapping sheet music for drum solos and embracing iconic rock anthems, the children performed with energy, confidence and flair. They were supported throughout by Head of Music, Mrs Oldfield, with Miss Gilmore on the decks and Mr Beadle running the lights, helping to create a truly professional concert experience.

Dragon House opened the show with a lively rendition of Free From Desire, featuring Gigi and Anya on vocals, Yusuf on keys, Sophie and Brady on guitar and Aarian on drums. Griffin followed with Wonderwall, showcasing Arnie on cello, Colette on violin, Rosie and Artur on piano, Ava and Alick on vocals, and Alick also on drums.

Pegasus transported the audience straight to Wembley with their performance of Use Somebody, with Josie and Charlotte on vocals, Elsie and Toluwa on keys, Seb on guitar and Hugo on drums. Phoenix brought pop-punk energy with Complicated, featuring Saoirse on vocals, Shayaan and Henry on keys, and Kass on drums.

In the second round of performances, Dragon returned with I Want It That Way, performed by Vivian and Millie on vocals, Freya on drums, and Alex and Max on keys. Griffin delivered a powerful performance of Believer, with Josh, Thea and Illeana on vocals, Sophie and Illeana on keys, Thea on guitar, Zach on drums and Laurence on flute.

Pegasus impressed once again with Die With a Smile, featuring George on guitar, Jensen on drums, Annabel and Oscar on vocals, and Noah on keys. Phoenix closed the competition with an energetic performance of Counting Stars, with Sofia and Florence on vocals, Nikhil on trumpet, Emma on keys and Jacob on drums.

Judging the event were Mrs Middleton and Mr McWilliams, who praised every band for their musicality, creativity and resilience. They highlighted the strong sense of teamwork and connection within each group, particularly noting how performers adapted when technical issues arose. Whether sharing microphones or calmly troubleshooting on stage, the children demonstrated impressive composure and quick thinking.

After much anticipation, the results were announced. Griffin placed fourth, Dragon secured third, and Phoenix took second place. Crowned Battle of the Bands 2025 champions were Pegasus House – a well-deserved victory.

However, beyond the final rankings, the event was a celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration. Year 6 delivered an inspiring showcase of talent and teamwork, reminding everyone that the true magic of music lies in taking risks, supporting one another and enjoying the moment.