Review of the House Singing Competition 2026

The House Singing Competition is always one of the musical highlights of the year and a whole-school event cherished by pupils and staff alike. On Monday 12 October we gathered in the Chapel rather than Great School, a new departure this year, and a change which enabled the whole school to see all ten performances. House spirit was on full display with colour, costumes, banners and props.

Teme opened the afternoon’s proceedings with a heartfelt rendition of Let it go from Frozen. Teme began in their basso profundo register before rising with the contours of the song and displaying to the full the vocal range of the House. The performance had some nice touches of harmony too which enhanced the texture. Andrew B was the outstanding piano accompanist performing from memory.

Handford are always strong contenders with their powerful vocals and well-worked harmonies. This year was no exception and their voices gelled particularly well in the upper register in Dancing on my own. Their combination of a cappella, soloists and clapping made for an entrancing performance. Clarissa C’s piano playing enhanced the backing track.

Second’s gave a stirring performance of I’m a believer. Their band featured a really slick intro from Talent K on the keyboard and joined by violins, sax and tambourine. There was commitment and energy in the singing and one of the best performances by Second’s in recent years.

School House ascended the vocal heights with Elton John’s classic I’m still standing and there were some very neat vocal touches throughout including an effective counter-melody, antiphonal exchanges and subtle fade out at the end. Barbershop style boaters capped a great performance.

Sankey’s performance was high-energy from the start with Mollie T as their dynamic conductor. The centre point of the song was the ravishing harmony sung at Magic in me. Accompanied by their superb band, this performance was top-notch and together with superb singing made for a very complete House performance.

Head’s Eye of the Tiger was sung with great conviction and supported by a superb House band. The central point was an instrumental solo break by Stirling M (electric guitar) and Bryn H (sax) to accompany a very gentlemanly boxing display! There was an excellent all-round performance here with some really well delivered vocals.

Saint’s performance of Umbrella captivated from the start. Their clever combinations of ‘Aha Aha’ alternated with well organised responses from another group. This was a really enthusiastic rendition performed with great spirit replete with umbrellas!

Gibbs’ song choice of Bruno Mars That’s what I like was an ambitious choice given the rhythmic intricacy of the song throughout. Yet, Alan M with the support of his choral lieutenants Freddie W and Chad M encouraged the Gibbs’ boys to ascend to new vocal heights. The togetherness of their singing was palpable from the start and supported by another terrific band of Alan M (bass) Isaac H (keyboard) and Henry W (drums). This was a terrifically assured group performance.

Field’s winning streak in this competition extends into the mists of time and each year the House reinvents itself vocally searching out new combinations of soloists and organising layers of harmony amongst the House. The sheer variety of texture and subtlety of singing was wonderful to hear and their choice of song Royals by Lorde allowed them to exploit these harmonies to the full. Their engaging performance also featured well controlled a cappella, soloists and signature body percussion.

Manor was the final House to perform and gave a superb rendition of Michael Jackson’s Beat it with verve, superb vocals and movement. It was a really unified performance and the cool hats and well-worked moves complemented a really polished performance.

The adjudicator, Mr Dan Jordan, Director of Music at Eastbourne College was extremely impressed with the overall standard and the number of House bands and accompanists.

This year seven out of ten Houses fielded a student accompanist or House band and competed for a new cup for ‘Best Accompaniment’. Sankey’s House Band took the top spot with a very well-rehearsed quartet of Fran B (bass guitar), Olivia M (drums), Honor C (guitar) and Amelie K-M (keyboard). Head’s band led by Bryn H on sax were Highly Commended and featured a superb guitar solo by Stirling G.

The results were:

6^th School, also awarded the Cup for ‘Most Improved Performance’

5^th Teme

4^th Handford

3^rd Sankey’s

2^nd Gibb’s, awarded the Runners-Up Cup

1^st Field’s, awarded the House Singing Cup

The House Singing Competition marked a superb start to this year’s musical calendar. Still to come next term are the House Music Rock and Pop Concert on Tuesday 12 January, followed by three days of House Music Competition featuring instrumentalists and soloists in solos, duets and ensembles taking place on 29 January and 2 and 5 February .

Alexander Mason
Director of Music