On Thursday March the 20th, parents, teachers and friends gathered to watch the first ever ‘Harris Has Talent’ at Harris Church of England Academy. The students at Harris had been selected through an audition process and had been practicing for weeks in preparation. The winning prize was a £50 voucher and direct entry to the semi finals of ‘Rugby’s got Talent.’

Our judging panel consisted of Dave Pugh, Head of Music at Kenilworth School. Mike Folly, chair of the Rugby Rotary Music Bursary, which has generously donated equipment to Harris School music department.

We also were lucky enough to have professional musician Benji Kirkpartrick join our judging panel. Benji is a professional folk singer and musician, previously a member of Bellowhead, Faustus and Steeleye Span, he now performs as a solo artist and also as a member of the Seth Lakeman band. Benji wrote that it was "enjoyable to see students performing and doing some creative work."

The evening was opened with our Harris rock band, ‘The Coneheads’ and their brilliant rendition of ‘Mardy Bum’ by the Arctic Monkeys. Ee then moved on to some beautiful Irish dancing, followed by three duets; one vocal and piano; a beautiful vocal duet by two year 7 students and

then a vocal and guitar duet number, which was awarded our first highly commended prize of the night.

We then had some great commercial dance, followed by Isaac, a year 7 student, on the piano with a self-composed piece called ‘My Imagination.’ The judges especially appreciated this original piece and said it was "skilfully played"

Things were rounded up with a solo of ‘All of me’, by John Legend, performed on the piano with added vocals, this was selected for a highly commended award by our judges, then a lyrical dance before finishing with classic rock and roll number performed by a year 10 on guitar with vocals.

The winner of the evening was the solo lyrical dance, the judges agreed the performance had a balance of technical skill and creativity as well as confidence and stage presence as a solo performer.

Judge Mike Folly said, "each one is a winner for getting up on stage and performing to us all," he was very impressed with the performances of all our students and that took part.

The performing arts department would like to thank all the parents and friends who came to watch their children, and

to the rotary club who also came to support the event. Finally, we would like to say a huge ‘WELL DONE’ to all the students involved, it takes such confidence to perform in front of an audience and the skill and talent they all showed was incredible to watch.