Inter-House Music Competition 2026

On Friday 6 February the Finals Concert of the 2026 House Music Competition took place, following two days of intensive competition and over 230 entries in solo, duet and ensemble categories featuring all of Lancing’s varied instrumentalists and singers.  

This year the concert began in the Chapel with Iona M, winner of the organ class giving a spirited performance of Karg-Elert’s ‘Nun Danket’. Next the audience made the short journey to the Music School to hear the winners of the piano duet class, Mika C and Candace W give a sparkling rendition of ‘Yuri on Ice’ by Umbeyashi where they made colourful use of the two grand pianos in the Recital Room. 

The audience then settled in Great School for the rest of the evening where the first item was another chance to hear this year’s winners of the House Singing Competition, Field’s. Their performance of ‘Wings’ by Little Mix demonstrated confident solos, ensemble singing and well-worked harmony as well as some inventive body percussion and they were ably supported by a classy house band of Candace W on piano with Lara H and Bea B, cellos. 

Next followed the six winners of the instrumental and vocal finals, all competing for the Christopher Headington Cup. In the first of two performances Tom C captivated the audience with ‘Sultans of Swing’ by Dire Straits and then performed the opening movement of Mozart’s 3rd Horn Concerto which demonstrated his versatility. Lili R on clarinet demonstrated real finesse with an incredibly polished performance of two movements from Alec T ‘Pocket-Size Sonata’! Mika C performance on the piano of Chopin’s mighty Ballade No. 4 was an outstanding achievement and Mika demonstrated her musicianship and virtuosity in this twelve minute epic!

The penultimate solo item was given by soprano Maria N, who has won a choral exhibition at The Queen’s College, Oxford next year. Her performance of Gounod’s aria, ‘Ah je veux dire’ was another incredible tour de force with Maria’s vocal range up to a high D on display. The final solo item was given by Eva A-S, who has won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music next year. Her performance of Hummel’s Fantasie on the viola was performed with outstanding flair. 

The adjudicator, Mr Tom Elliott, Director of Music at St Ronan’s prep school and a former professional violinist with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields Orchestra, gave a superb adjudication, praising the young performers for their energy and commitment.  This year’s open solo winner, receiving the Christopher Headington Cup, was Maria N and Mr Elliott made particular mention of Maria’s ‘coloratura’. Mika C piano  performance was ‘highly commended’ and Lili R’ clarinet playing was ‘commended’.  

In the duet final, Maria N and Izzy M won with ‘Domine Deus’ from Mozart’s Mass in C minor with a performance of professional quality. This year’s ensemble winners were the Tango Quintet formed of Winston C (violin), Lili R (clarinet), Freddie W (saxophone), Isaac Hu (accordion) and Isaac H (piano). Their performance of ‘Jalousie’ by Jacob G in an arrangement by Isaac Hu was extremely stylish and displayed wonderful interaction between all of the players. 

Isaac H won this year’s Peter Davis Cup for his superb contribution to the competion and in particular, encouraging so many pupils in Gibbs’ to enter the competition as well as accompanying many other performers on the piano. It’s terrific to see a pupil becoming such a versatile piano accompanist. 

Taking into account points accumulated over the three sessions of the competition, from the House Singing Competition in October, the Rock and Pop Competition in December and the last three days, Gibbs’ House emerged victorious with a commanding lead and 545 points. Fields’ were worthy runners-up with 486. Above all well done to everyone who has taken part and for demonstrating such enjoyment with their music making. 

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