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Waterloo Hall was filled with exceptional music-making on Thursday evening as Wellington College hosted the annual Montgomery Instrumental Competition. Students, staff, parents and visitors gathered to enjoy a varied and highly accomplished programme, with performances spanning over three centuries of musical repertoire and a wide range of instruments.
Adjudicated by Tim Bennett, Director of Music at Cheam School, the competition highlighted the remarkable depth of musical talent within the College. Finalists demonstrated not only technical excellence but also maturity of interpretation, confidence and individuality in their performances.
The evening featured an impressive programme including:
- Oscar (oboe) performing works by Morricone and Loeillet
- Grace (violin) with Telemann’s Fantasia No. 9
- Valerie (clarinet) performing works by Messager and Weber
- Thommy (double bass) with pieces by Hester and Hauta-aho
- Anni (violin) performing Mozart’s Sonata in G major and Kreisler’s Danse Espagnole
- Lewis (piano) with works by Joplin and Hisaishi
- Muli (cello) performing Chopin’s Sonata for Piano and Cello in G minor
- Rosie (piano) with works by Scarlatti and Haydn
- Casper (saxophone) performing Soul Power 74 and his own composition, I’m So Sorry I Had To Leave
- Jing (violin) performing Brahms and Massenet
- Roselie (piano) with works by Debussy and Mozart
Following a closely contested competition, Anni was announced as the winner of the 2026 Montgomery Instrumental Competition. Her performance combined technical assurance with expressive musicality, making a lasting impression on both audience and adjudicator.
The standard throughout the evening was exceptionally high, with Valerie, Casper and Muli all recognised as runners-up for their outstanding performances.
The Montgomery Instrumental Competition remains one of the highlights of the College’s musical calendar, providing a platform for students to perform at the highest level and celebrate the breadth of instrumental excellence at Wellington. Congratulations to all of the finalists for delivering such an inspiring evening of music.
