Song Fest 2025

By Pat Scally Richardson | Posted: Monday July 21, 2025

We are so proud of two of our singers who take voice lessons at OBHS!

Last weekend, Alex Glover (Year 12) and Callum Thompson (Year 10) competed in the annual Song Fest, which was held at Castle Theatre 1 on the Otago University campus.

Alex placed third in his two contemporary song classes, singing Ordinary and In the Stars with a tremendous connection to the meaning, mood, and vocal technique. Outstanding work! He is a National Champion in the Highland Dancing world and added singing to his performance life last year. Many of us saw Alex sing so well in the OBHS Talent Quest this year. It was his very first performance to an audience as a singer, and the support helped him advance his skills further by entering the competitions and exceeding all expectations! He was a crowd favourite, with many people commenting on his voice and artistry.

Callum has also been having lessons since last year and decided to enter the competitions for experience and confidence. He gave three impressive classical performances, and it was hard to believe that he was singing to an audience for the first time. Also exceeding expectations, Callum was placed 1st in the Traditional Song category, singing the African American spiritual Steal Away. He then went on to receive a VHC for singing another spiritual, Crucifixion, and he rounded off an outstanding weekend with 1st place in the 14-and-under-16 Recital, singing the art song Requiem followed by Santa Lucia. He was accompanied superbly on the grand piano by David Burchell, Dunedin City Organist and Director of the DSO and City Choir.

All of the OBHS values were right there on the stage in every performance. Congratulations, boys!