IT'S A RECORD! 900 DRUMMERS MAKE DRUM HISTORY ON BBC MUSIC DAY

Hundreds of school children from schools across Portsmouth descended on Guildhall Square to smash a Guinness World Records®  Record for the largest Djembe Drum Ensemble.

900 infant, junior and secondary school pupils showed off their musical talents as they took part in the challenge for BBC Music Day. Organised and inspired by Portsmouth Music Hub they smashed the record which previously stood at 476 drummers.

The children spent weeks training for the record attempt which was held as part of BBC Music Day. The music was written by one of the Music Hub's composition team and was a firm favourite with the children.

Sue Beckett , Chief Executive of Portsmouth Music Hub said "The children drummed brilliantly and it was a fantastic event that enabled everyone to celebrate the power of music as part of BBC Music Day. To smash the record was a huge triumph for everyone and the children were so excited that all their hard work had paid off."

The young drummers were joined by the Taiko drummers and a Samba Band, with a special finale performance by the Corps of Drums from the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

Sofia Doan, aged 11 from St. John's RC Cathedral Primary School said "Drumming today was the most amazing day of my life - I will never forget it as it was incredible."

An enormous cheer rang out across Guildhall Square as Paulina Sapinska, the Guinness World Records® Adjudicator announced that the record had been broken and that the drummers were "officially amazing".