Record Entry for 2026 Concerto Competition
A record 17 performances featured in this year’s Concerto Competition, with pupils competing for the opportunity to perform a concerto movement with Eltham College’s Symphony Orchestra at Southwark Cathedral.
The annual event, adjudicated this year by Simon Smith, Head of Strings at Wells Cathedral School, showcased a wide range of repertoire and musicians from across the year groups, making for a particularly varied and closely contested evening.
Reflecting on the performances, Director of Music Mr Johns praised the musical development shown by every competitor:
“For every one of you the tonal quality was better, the expression was better, the movement is better, the engagement with the accompanist is better, it’s all better and it’s all more musical and it means it’s all much more enjoyable to watch and genuinely good fun.”
Following deliberation, two winning entries were selected:
- Emily (Lower Sixth) and Phoebe (Lower Sixth), performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola, Movement II
- Mina (Year 10), performing Movements I and IV from Widor’s Suite for Flute
The adjudicator also awarded three Highly Commended certificates:
- Sophie (Year 7), performing Cimarosa’s Oboe Concerto, Movements I and IV
- Emma (Year 9), performing Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D minor
- Isabelle (Year 9), performing Fauré’s Élégie, Op. 24
Congratulations to all 17 performers for their commitment and preparation, and particularly to Emily, Phoebe and Mina, who can now look forward to performing with the Symphony Orchestra in April at our flagship concert in the wonderful surroundings of Southwark Cathedral.
