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Wellington College celebrated the creativity and talent of its pupils during Arts Week 2026, with a packed programme of performances, workshops, masterclasses and opportunities to learn from leading figures in the arts.
Under this year’s theme, ‘The Arts in Everything’, the week brought together art, music, drama, dance and more, providing opportunities for pupils to explore their creativity, develop new skills, passions and celebrate the important role the arts play at Wellington College.
The celebrations began on Sunday with a Schola Cantorum workshop and Evensong with Recordare in the College Chapel, setting the tone for a week of artistic discovery and collaboration.
Monday evening saw acclaimed, multi-award-winning theatre director Marianne Elliott visit Wellington for a special Limelights event in the Christopher Lee Theatre.
Interviewed by Wellington’s Drama Prefects, Marianne shared insights into her remarkable career and creative process, reflecting on her experiences bringing groundbreaking productions such as War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Company to the stage.
The evening provided pupils with a valuable opportunity to hear directly from one of the theatre industry’s most influential creative voices, gaining insights into the world of professional theatre and the collaborative process behind successful productions.
Throughout the week, pupils also enjoyed a diverse programme of practical workshops and masterclasses, exploring everything from percussion and chamber music to acro, contemporary dance, rhythm and blues, and piano. These sessions offered opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners, develop existing talents and discover new creative interests.
Tuesday brought another highlight with the Montgomery Ensemble Competition, adjudicated by the internationally acclaimed Marmen Quartet, winners of the Chamber Award at the 2026 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
The competition showcased the exceptional musical talent of Wellington’s chamber ensembles, with pupils performing for the prestigious Montgomery Prize.
Congratulations to Trio Moszkowski (Vera, Letty and Hiroatsu), who were crowned this year’s winners! Congratulations also go to runners-up Wellington Saxophone Quartet (Joseph, David, Casper and Ronit) and Beethoven Trio (Arthur, Tory and Muli).
Wednesday evening offered another opportunity to celebrate Wellington’s musical talent, with a special Chapel Choir Concert featuring a programme of sacred and choral works. Directed by Jack Thompson and accompanied by Sean Farrell on the organ, the performance brought beautiful and reflective music to the surroundings of the College Chapel.
Thursday continued the celebrations with a varied programme of workshops and masterclasses. Pupils enjoyed opportunities to develop their skills in dance, bass and piano, with sessions led by visiting specialists including James Cousins, Liz Hosford and Sergio De Simone.
Magician and performer Maddox Dixon also joined pupils for a special magic workshop, offering a fascinating insight into the art of illusion and performance ahead of his role as host of Friday’s Festival of the Arts.
Arts Week culminated on Friday 16 October with the much-anticipated Festival of the Arts, an annual celebration bringing together talented young performers from Wellington College and six visiting schools and colleges for an evening of music, drama and dance.
Held in the GWA theatre, the Festival featured a vibrant programme of performances, from musical theatre favourites including Six, Encanto, The Greatest Showman and Hamilton, to rock and pop classics, contemporary dance and jazz.
Wellington’s own Rock Bands, Big Band and Wellingtones joined performers from Artemis College, Farnborough Sixth Form College, Garth Hill College, Wellington College Prep, The Windsor Boys’ School and Yateley School, showcasing the breadth of talent and creativity across the wider community.
In their welcome to the evening, Wellington’s Student Arts Ambassadors, captured the spirit of the Festival:
“This Festival is an opportunity to celebrate and bring together the incredible work of all the students and the many ways in which the arts unite people collectively.”
The evening was hosted by magician and performer Maddox Dixon, known for his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent and performances around the world, who returned to Wellington following his successful appearance at the Wellbeing Festival earlier this year.
Beyond celebrating the talents of young performers, the Festival also supported the Wellington College Arts Fund, which helps create artistic opportunities for pupils in local schools.
Since 2020, the Fund has donated over £200,000 to more than 70 local schools, supporting everything from musical instruments and technical equipment to drama productions, dance workshops and arts resources. All ticket proceeds from the evening will go towards supporting this important work.
As the Student Arts Ambassadors highlighted in their welcome, the Festival is about more than individual performances. It is an opportunity to bring young people together, celebrate their achievements and recognise the power of the arts to connect and inspire.
Arts Week 2026 was a wonderful reminder of the important role creativity plays in College life. From opportunities to work with leading professionals to performing alongside pupils from other schools, the week demonstrated how the arts encourage collaboration, confidence, self-expression and a willingness to explore new ideas.
A huge thank you to all the pupils, staff, visiting artists and partner schools who contributed to this year’s programme, and to everyone who joined us in celebrating the arts at Wellington College.
