As someone who has attended house music three years in a row but never performed, I was yet to have the chance to take a look behind the scenes, and the day, a full twelve hours, to be an exciting one. I expected there to be a lot of sitting around and waiting, but having been gifted with the responsibility of one of the school’s cameras I was free to look in on rehearsals and practices all day, able to see the magic that goes on backstage to bring to life such an incredible event.

Watching the morning’s tech rehearsals gave me a newfound appreciation for the unseen, but certainly not unheard effort the tech team put into perfecting the music – I watched basslines struggling to be heard, faulty amps being fixed, and everyone persevering despite the various difficulties the day’s work presented. Watching the students’ faces when their piece finally came together was definitely worth every little mishap along the way.

The dress rehearsals later that day gave me pause, however. Musicians missed cues, compères forgot lines, and things did not run as smoothly as I’d seen in the evening event in years gone by. While everyone performed wonderfully and with the astounding talent I know this school’s pupils possess, I had to wonder whether the standard would reach that of previous years. It turned out to be absolutely no cause for concern, though: when I took my seat to watch at 7PM, the show was near perfect, everything having been tidied up to come together as what I believe to be the best House Music I’ve attended so far. It just goes to show what hard work students, staff and everyone else puts in to make this event such a special one.

As Mrs Kay pointed out in her heartwarming post-performance speech, some students had performed every year of their school career and some had never done so before, the rest falling anywhere and everywhere between. On Wednesday I saw every one of those students ace their part, whether it be instrument, vocals or dance, no matter their previous experience with an event like this. I heard firsthand how some were nervous, others excited, others sad to be attending their final show, and that inside knowledge I got from coming along this year made me truly understand what makes this event what it is – the feelings put into it.

After an exhausting day, I felt deeply lucky to have been part of such a strong sense of community, and hope to be just as lucky in 2027. To those performing for the final time, I wish you every success in what comes next; to those who will return, I hope you continue to embrace and shape this remarkable tradition. And for myself, having finally seen the magic from both sides of the curtain, I know I will never watch House Music in quite the same way again. Until next year!

Atlas Year 12
The LATIN Editorial Team

Congratulations to all the Houses for their performances and congratulations to Denton for their victory this year. For a selection of photos from the night, click here: House Music 2026 gallery.