News

Emily Horner Emily Horner

Portsmouth Music Service Launches ‘Top Brass’

Portsmouth Music Service is delighted to announce the launch of its brand-new brass beginners ensemble, ‘Top Brass,’ which held its first rehearsal this week at Gatcombe Park Primary School.

This exciting and FREE ensemble is open to young brass players of all levels and takes place every Wednesday (term time only) from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The group provides a fun and supportive environment for budding musicians to develop their skills, build confidence, and enjoy the magic of making music together.

“We were thrilled to welcome students who participated in our whole-class brass lessons during the autumn term. It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm, and we were even joined by a few dads who decided to stay and give it a go themselves. It created such a wonderful, community-focused atmosphere.” - Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub

‘Top Brass’ is designed to nurture a love for brass playing while fostering teamwork and creativity. Led by experienced and passionate tutor Simon Nicholls from Portsmouth Music Service, the sessions are perfect for young musicians who are just starting their journey or looking for an opportunity to play in a group setting.

Spaces are still available, and Portsmouth Music Service encourages any young brass players in the area to come along and join the fun. Whether you play the trumpet, trombone, or any other brass instrument, ‘Top Brass’ is the perfect place to get inspired and start your musical adventure.

For more information about ‘Top Brass’ or other opportunities offered by Portsmouth Music Service, please follow this link - https://www.portsmouthmusichub.org/top-brass-ensemble

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

Over 3,000 Portsmouth Young People Join Forces for Festive Music Video

Portsmouth Music Hub is thrilled to announce the release of the music video Christmas Time Is Here, featuring over 3,000 young people from 17 schools across the city. The video celebrates the joys and challenges of the festive season, bringing schools together through the power of music.  

Christmas Time Is Here is a brand-new song composed by Iain Gilmour, one of Portsmouth Music Hub’s talented composers. The song captures the essence of the season, reflecting on everything from decorating Christmas trees and singing carols to the quirks of modern festivities, like the shrinking size of sweet tins and the love-it-or-hate-it debate over Brussels sprouts.  

The 17 schools participating in the project each brought their unique flair to the performance. Some schools featured their entire student body, while others showcased their dedicated choirs, resulting in a dynamic and diverse celebration of music and community spirit.  

"It’s absolutely wonderful to see schools from across the city coming together to celebrate the festive season. Music has the power to unite and inspire, and this project is a shining example of the creativity and enthusiasm of Portsmouth’s young people."

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub

The Christmas Time Is Here music video is a joyful showcase of the city's talent and togetherness, highlighting the importance of arts education in fostering creativity and connection.

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

Cross Keys Choir at Music For Youth Proms

50 young singers from Portsmouth thrilled audiences after they were selected from thousands of nationwide music groups to perform in the Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall this week.

Featuring students from St. John's RC Cathedral Primary School and St. Edmund's School, the choir performed two original songs, One World and Change Maker.

Portsmouth Music Hub's Cross Keys Choir did a magnificent job representing our city and sharing key messages about protecting our planet and making a difference to our world through their fantastic performance.

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

The Music Man Project Portsmouth

Portsmouth Music Hub is excited to announce the launch of The Music Man Project, Portsmouth, a vibrant music initiative designed for individuals aged 11 and above with learning disabilities. This project, in collaboration with the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, offers a unique blend of singing, signing, movement, and percussion in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or new to music, everyone is welcome to join. The Music Man Project UK is a national Music Education Service that empowers individuals with learning disabilities through the joy of music. Participants in Portsmouth will learn a repertoire of exciting songs over the next two years, culminating in a special performance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

The sessions are designed to inspire creativity and build confidence in our participants. We can’t wait to see everyone’s musical journey unfold!

Sign up for a taster session!
Kickstart your musical journey every Wednesday during term time from 5pm to 6pm at Redwood Park Academy.

For more information about The Music Man Project, Portsmouth, please visit: The Music Man ProjectPortsmouth.

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

PORTSMOUTH'S YOUNG SINGERS TO PERFORM AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Portsmouth Music Hub's Cross Keys Choir has been selected to perform at the Music for Youth Proms 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

With thousands of musicians from across the UK taking part in the National Music Festival, the choir was on the shortlist of 228 groups performing in Birmingham. Of these, just 26 groups have been invited to the Royal Albert Hall.

This fantastic achievement marks a first for Portsmouth, with 54 young singers aged 7-16 representing the city on one of the most famous stages in the world.

The choir will perform two songs composed by the Music Hub's award-winning composition team, One World and Change Maker. The songs will be signed by the young performers as they share key messages about the environment and the difference we can all make as Change Makers through their singing.

 Kate Gardner from Music for Youth expressed her admiration, saying, “Huge congratulations…it is very much deserved. It truly is a huge achievement…you should all be really proud.”

As the countdown to the Music for Youth Proms 2024 begins, Portsmouth's community is brimming with pride for these young singers. Their achievement is more than just a performance, it is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when they are encouraged to dream big and aim high.

"This is testament to the choir's exceptional talent and dedication and is a significant milestone not just for Cross Keys but also for the city of Portsmouth. The young performers have worked tirelessly to reach this point, and their appearance at the Royal Albert Hall will be a memory they will carry with them for the rest of their lives."

Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

Playground Proms comes to Portsmouth

In partnership with Portsmouth Music Hub, Graffiti Classics, the comedy string quartet, and Dalcroze UK visited schools across Portsmouth for Playground Proms. It was a fabulous couple of weeks of music, singing, and learning all about the string family, music terminology, and classical composers.

The Playground Proms provided a unique opportunity for young people to engage with classical music in an interactive and entertaining way. Across the two weeks, students learnt about music terminology, explored the works of classical composers, and enjoyed captivating performances by Graffiti Classics. The quartet's humorous and dynamic approach made classical music accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

"We are thrilled to have partnered with Graffiti Classics and Dalcroze UK for the Playground Proms," said Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub. "This initiative reflects our commitment to enriching the lives of young people through music education. It has been a fabulous week of learning and fun, and we are grateful to Playground Proms for bringing classical music to the students of Portsmouth."

The collaboration with Dalcroze UK further enhanced the educational experience, incorporating movement and creative expression into the music sessions. This holistic approach helped students to connect with music on a deeper level, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

A massive thank you to Playground Proms for bringing classical music and laughter to the young people of Portsmouth.

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Emily Horner Emily Horner

Cross Keys Choir - Music for Youth Festival, Birmingham

On Saturday 6 July, Portsmouth Music Hub’s Cross Keys Choir journeyed to Birmingham to participate in this year's Music for Youth Festival. This celebrated event brought together choirs, bands, and ensembles from across the country for a grand celebration of music.

Cross Keys Choir delivered an outstanding performance, featuring three songs composed by PMH’s award-winning composition team: “One World,” “Dream On,” and the world debut of “Changemaker.” Taking the fringe stage by storm, Cross Keys captivated the audience with their remarkable vocals and infectious enthusiasm, drawing in a crowd of amazed onlookers.

The feedback from Music for Youth’s mentors was overwhelmingly positive. The mentors praised the choir’s exceptional talent, highlighting their ability to connect with the audience through powerful and emotive performances.

“Events like these are so important for young people, giving them the opportunity to take part in and sing together in a choir,” said Emily Barden, Choir Conductor. “It’s just the best thing for children… for their confidence, for their teamwork, for feeling a part of something bigger than just them.”

The Music for Youth Festival is renowned for showcasing the best young musical talent from around the country. The Cross Keys Choir's stellar performance exemplifies their dedication, hard work, and passion for music, marking a significant highlight in their musical journey.

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