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It has been a sensational year for Music at Lancing College. As we celebrate our 175th Anniversary Year, we have also been celebrating the extraordinary musical talents of our pupils. From the House Music Competition, to Beware the Mackerel Sky, an intergenerational opera featuring vocalists and musicians from across the College community, our 175th birthday soundtrack has been melodious.
House Music began with the House Singing Competition in October, and the Rock and Pop Concert in December, before culminating in the highly competitive two-day contest for places in February’s House Music Finals concert. The repertoire was varied, including impressively energetic Rock School pieces performed by drummers, music from the shows, virtuosic piano pieces, excellent wind and brass solos, and a number of enjoyable and expressive vocal performances. Many pieces were accompanied by students (with extra points available!) and some were even composed by their performers. Our thanks go to the adjudicator, Susie Lamb, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral School, whose job on the evening of the Finals Concert was unenviably difficult in the face of so many outstanding solos, duets, and ensembles. The audience, meanwhile, enjoyed an evening of Lancing music at its very best.
- Dr Hartley, Head of Academic Music
What our students had to say ...
The House Music Competition was just brilliant. I saw some outstanding performances from students playing and singing pieces from every genre. One of my personal highlights was the Rock and Pop concert where I was lucky enough to win this section of the competition with Matilde with two of our own songs, “Glaciers” and “Sketches”. I also found out on the night of the Finals Concert that I had won the Peter Davis cup for contribution to the competition, and after a long week of preparation and performances I found myself rather emotional walking up to collect the award!
Tom C
The House Music competition is the perfect opportunity for anyone to show their music talents, or just have fun! All genres are welcome, from Classical all the way to renditions of 'My Way' and 'Tequila!', so it really is something the whole school can get stuck into. I enjoyed my involvement with the ensembles in the competition, setting up a fun choral group as well as Honk!'s annual appearance. The Final was an outstanding showcase of the school's finest, and performing amongst such brilliant musicians has to be a highlight for me.
Kate P
For the past five years, I have looked forward to being heavily involved in the House Music Competition. In three of my five years I have also been honoured to be part of ensembles that made the Finals Concert, this year singing a Jazz arrangement of ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’. The competition has introduced me to lots of new music and brought together some unexpected groups that I have loved performing with, and I hope to have the opportunity to perform with some of the people again.
Theo A
I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this year’s House Music Competition and it feels amazing that I was able to make it through the Final amongst the array of other talented musicians! It was a great experience for me getting to play in front of many of my peers and I feel privileged to have won the solo category with the piece Czardas, which I played on the violin. I am excited for next year’s competition and what it may bring!
Grace S
Participating in the House Music Competition was much fun. Being my first time participating in any form of musical competition, winning the class three piano class came as a big shock (especially considering that I was up against much more experienced musicians than myself)! Sitting through the other's performances and hearing music I'd never heard before was pleasant and inspiring (although it did little to numb the anxiety of waiting for my turn to perform). I'm a little frustrated my House didn't come first, I can share the delight that Sankey's must feel from winning. Bravo, Sankey's!
Jude G
I felt very privileged to have the opportunity to perform with my singing ensemble group in the Finals Concert of the House Music Competition. I enjoyed listening to those competing for the same prize as me within my class, as well as the Finals Concert on Thursday which the other participants, and many parents, clearly enjoyed. The musicianship of these students, and many others who I did not see, was amazing and I hope to continue to progress in this school to this high standard.
Xander G
Congratulations to all participants, who earned valuable points towards their respective Houses’ overall scores. This year’s winners of the House Music Cup were Sankey’s with Gibbs’ in the runner-up spot for the second year in a row.
House Music Competition Winners 2024
Solo Performers
Class 1 Solo
Freddie W
Class 2 Solo
Hannah W
Class 3 Solo
Sophie B
Brass Solo, Class 4 Open
Lucien S, who also receives The Perry Brownson Trophy for Brass Excellence
Percussion Solo, Class 4
Matthew L, who also receives The Lancing College Open Percussion Trophy
Piano Solo, Class 4
Jess N, who also receives The Sebastian Stanley Cup for Outstanding Piano Performance
String Solo, Class 4
Grace S, who also receives The Sally Masters String Playing Cup
Vocal Solo, Class 4
Kiara N, who also receives The Matthew Duncan Cup for Open Class Singing
Woodwind Solo, Class 4
Elisabeth dRH, who also receives The S.W. Cup for Wind Players
Open Solo Winner
Grace S, who also receives The Lancing College Christopher Headington Cup
Duet Perfomers
Duet Class Winners
Kiara N and Kate P, who also receive The Lancing College Duet Trophy
Ensemble Class Winners
HONK! (40 points), who also receive The Lancing College Music Competition Ensemble Cup
Additional Awards
The Peter David Cup for contribution to the Competition
Tom C
The Lancing College House Music Plate for the runner-up
Gibbs' House
The Lancing College House Music Cup
Sankey's House