Park House English School, part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), continued to redefine learning beyond the classroom by hosting the COBIS Music Festival 2025. The event brought together 251 students from 16 schools across seven countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Nigeria, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Netherlands, reinforcing the school’s commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and international engagement.
With over 150 performances and students from across three continents, the competition saw an outstanding display of talent. The event featured both solo and ensemble performances, with the grand finale held at The Hamilton International School.
Demonstrating their musical talent, Park House English School students secured first place in five key categories: Brass and Woodwind, awarded to Batuhan (Year 9); Classic Percussion, won by Winn (Year 12); Lower School Voice Soloist, claimed by Elisha (Year 7); Senior Voice Soloist, achieved by Lamar (Year 13); and Choir, awarded to the Park House Secondary Choir.
The competition was judged by a panel of experts, including Sue McKenzie, the Director of the Scottish Saxophone Academy. Steph Gomaa, Specialist in composition and orchestration, Olga Protopopova, professional accompanist with vocal ensembles at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music and Angela Leite, a violinist and alumna of Artave, one of Portugal’s top schools for gifted musicians.
Reflecting on the event, Gabriela Nuñez, Head of Music at Park House English School, said:
"We at Park House English School were truly honoured to host the COBIS Music Festival 2025, a remarkable celebration of global artistry that brought us all together through the universal language of music. The festival’s atmosphere was electric, brimming with positivity and energy. Every performance reflected the passion, dedication, and enthusiasm of the students, making it an unforgettable experience. We couldn’t be prouder of everyone who participated in this incredible event."
John Smith, Principal of Park House English School, added: "The COBIS Music Festival 2025 was the largest event ever hosted by Park House English School and an unforgettable celebration of musical talent. Schools from across the globe travelled great distances to take part, making the competition especially fierce. The weekend was filled with breathtaking performances, and I couldn’t be prouder of all our participants. A special congratulations to our five winners from Park House English School—an incredible achievement against such strong competition. We are also happy that our Choir received best choir after being crowned Qatar National School Choir of the Year in 2024. Every award received is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work that our students have put in.”
Park House English School’s dedication to learning beyond the classroom extends beyond music and the arts, with a holistic approach to education that fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration. As part of iSP, the school remains committed to providing transformative learning experiences that go beyond textbooks, ensuring students are equipped with skills for life.