Launch of New Website and Songbook

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth received a surprising delegation from local composers, 40 children from St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral Primary School, and Bombay the cat masquerading as Puss in Boots. They were there to sing and celebrate the launch of Portsmouth Music Hub's new website and the publication of its latest songbook for children, Story-Scape.

Story-Scape is a compilation of songs produced by Portsmouth Music Hub's award winning team of composers. Children from across Portsmouth were asked to suggest their favourite stories. They came up with a long list, including Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots. But the children's involvement didn't stop there.

As Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said at the launch, the children were a key ingredient in the final product: 'Children have tried the songs and worked with the Hub's composers. We believe it's vital to put children and young people at the heart of the composition process. They are the driving force for everything we do.'

On the same day Portsmouth Music Hub launched its new website. The site has been designed with teachers, parents and children in mind. With regular news, events and updates about the ongoing work of the Hub it aims to communicate a strong message about the many cultural achievements in Portsmouth.

Sue Beckett said: 'Launching the songbook and our new website on the same day seemed the perfect thing to do. Story-Scape embodies so much of what the Hub stands for; bringing talented and dedicated people together to produce new compositions for children. The website is the springboard to show a much wider audience what we do and how much can be achieved by the young people in Portsmouth. Hopefully the words, music and website launched today will inspire children to enjoy a life-long passion for culture.'

Royal Marines Interactive Concert 2015

They’re a familiar sight at navy ship homecomings, parades and celebrations, and now musicians from Portsmouth’s Royal Marines School of Music have entertained an audience of more than 1,500 schoolchildren at the Kings Theatre.

The band of 40 musicians put on an ‘interactive concert’ in partnership with the Portsmouth Music Hub. The Band performed many recognisable tunes including music from Thunderbirds, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Frozen.

Two lucky school children were asked to take the place of the Royal Marine conductor and conducted the Band to huge applause from the young audience. Assistant Director of Music Captain Andy Gregory conducted the Band. Captain Gregory said the Marines musicians were delighted about being able to inspire the youngsters.

He said: ‘The Royal Marines School of Music is at its best in front of an enthusiastic and engaging audience, and more than 1,500 children didn’t disappoint. They were excited, thrilled and ready to jump on stage and join us. Developing people’s passion for music lies at the heart of the Royal Marines Band Service, and there really is nothing better than seeing so many young people experiencing a live concert and hopefully, working with Portsmouth Music Hub, we may be inspiring a new generation of musicians.’

Teachers got their moment of fame too as they took to the stage to try out their skills alongside drummers from the world famous Corp of Drums. Milton Park Primary School teaching assistant Vicky Cornish said the pupils were thrilled at the chance to see the Band perform. Ms Cornish said: ‘It was a brilliant experience for the children. Many of them just wouldn’t get the opportunity to see live music so to come here is fantastic for them. There’s been a real buzz around school about coming here today.’

Nine-year-old James Kalnietis from Milton Park Primary School said the performance had made his birthday even more special than usual. He said watching the professionals had encouraged him to keep learning music himself. James said: ‘It was brilliant. So fun and exciting and like a little bit of a surprise for me because it’s my birthday today. The best bit was at the very end because I really loved the tune. I am learning to play the keyboard at school and I can play one tune really, really well.’

Double Celebration for the Hub

Portsmouth Music Hub celebrated its 4th Anniversary on Sunday 15 November with a stunning concert at the Guildhall to an audience of hundreds of children and families and a performance by international pianist Warren Mailley-Smith.

It was a day of double celebration as Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub also learned that Portsmouth had been shortlisted for the prestigious Major Award at the National Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.

The annual Award Ceremony celebrates the work of music education providers and 123 music hubs based around the country.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for the Major Award. It’s thanks to the Hub’s dedicated team, our Hub Partners, local music teachers and Headteachers, and most of all the young people of Portsmouth that we’ve been shortlisted. It really demonstrates that Portsmouth is making its mark in music, education and culture.”

Portsmouth Music Hub was set up in 2011 and over the past 4 years it has gained the support of more than 50 partner organisations, from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to the Royal Marines Band Service.

Its mission, to bring creative and inspirational opportunities to play and perform for children and young people, and to help them develop a passion for music and culture, remains the guiding principle for the organisation.

Warren Mailley-Smith, who performed at the Music Hub’s 4th Anniversary concert, said: “It’s been a really exciting day, and we’ve had a great afternoon of music, with everything from the Blue Danube to the Theme from Thunderbirds. But hearing on the same day we celebrate the Hub’s 4th Anniversary that it’s been shortlisted for a Major Award, really has put the icing on the cake."

The National Music Teachers Awards for Excellence Ceremony will be held in London in February 2016.