Musical Celebration of Sport

The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth had a stage full of probably the healthiest looking young singers ever seen in the theatre's long history.

On Friday 24 June, in front of proud parents, the public and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth primary-aged children from schools across the City were there to perform 'Singathlon', a concert celebrating healthy living, keeping fit, and working hard to achieve goals.

There was every possible costume on display, from footballers, to dancers to tennis players, and even the teachers got in on the act performing a song about weightlifting which included, to the delight of the children, a teacher 'struggling' under the weight of a set of plastic dumbbells.

The concert, produced by Portsmouth Music Hub, saw more than 200 hundred children perform a range of songs written by the Music Hub's team of composers, which included 'Triple Jump', 'Live a More Active Life', and a firm favourite with the audience 'Losers Like Me'; which made the point that without losers there are no winners.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub, said after the show: "In this Olympic Year it was the perfect time for a celebration of sport and keeping fit. The children gave some fantastic performances, and the Schools worked really hard to make the event such a success. Concerts like these are full of talent and enthusiasm and they are completely unforgettable, not only for the audience, but for the hundreds of children who took to the stage."

Young Rock Bands Perform Live

On Tuesday 21 June young musicians from Portsmouth Music Hub's Rock Bands could be seen gigging at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth.

'Rock the Rooms' was a special concert marking the end of the school year and it was a chance for the musicians to perform at a professional music venue in front of a packed auditorium.

The concert brought together enthusiastic young singers, guitarists and drummers, aged from between 12 to 17 years of age, and there was a real mix of music on offer, including hits from Coldplay, and songs including 'Heart of Glass' and 'Sweet Child of Mine'.

Stu Brewer, who leads the Portsmouth Music Hub's Rock Bands, said: "It was an amazing night and a gig the musicians will never forget. The Bands invest a huge amount of time and effort into their performances, and when you see them on stage you can't help but be inspired. They have a passion for the music and the Hub is committed to giving them the skills, the freedom and opportunity to perform."

Portsmouth Music Hub runs Rock Bands, from beginners to more advanced young performers, each week during term time. To find out more call 023 9237 5655.

Harbour School Children Visit Royal Marines

On Tuesday 21 June children from the Harbour School in Tipner paid a visit to the Portsmouth-based Royal Marines School of Music, the training home of the Royal Marines Band Service.

The 9 children and staff were given a tour of the Royal Marines School, and saw a concert band rehearsal, the Corps of Drums and took the opportunity to make as much noise as possible on various drum kits inside the Percussion Training Room.

The visit began with a walk around the private practice rooms which are housed inside the former Naval Detention Quarters which were closed in 1996 when the Royal Marines School of Music moved from Deal in Kent. There are almost 200 practice rooms, still known as cells, over three flights, and the children couldn't help but be impressed by the size of the building, and the thought of all the prisoners that were once housed there.

Throughout the visit the children had many questions. They wondered why everyone had to march, they were curious about the military rank structure, and when they discovered the long hours in a Royal Marines day they were very surprised.

The children watched more 30 trainee musicians rehearsing music from Les Miserables in the Concert Hall. After they gave a round of applause WO2 Bandmaster Tim Carter invited the children to conduct the Band, and it was probably the first time 'A Life on the Ocean Wave', performed by the Royal Marines, has ever been conducted by a 13-year-old.

Young Performers Take to the Stage

Portsmouth Music Hub has been busy giving young people in Portsmouth the chance to take to the stage.

On Wednesday 15th June the Hub held a performance evening given by children aged 5 to 15 years of age. Portsmouth Music Hub runs a range of music ensembles throughout the year, including a jazz band, rock bands, a wind band and orchestra, and the performance evening was a chance for the young musicians to show off their skills. The concert was compered by 13 year-old Reuben Honeychurch who introduced a range of different acts, including a spectacular solo cornet performance from Freya Leon.

A day later, on Thursday 16th June, more than 100 children from schools across Portsmouth came together for a Recorder Festival held at Northern Parade Infant School. The primary-aged children rehearsed all morning and later that day they performed a concert, with songs including 'Winklepickers Carnival', 'Strolling in the Park' and the children's favourite 'Recorder Rock', which had been specially written by Music Hub composer Jonathan Cook.

At the end of the Recorder Festival Charlotte Bouckley, aged 8, said: "Today has been exciting and fun, and I loved seeing all the different sizes of recorder. The best song was 'Recorder Rock'. It was great!"

In the next few days the Music Hub will be busy with more concerts. On Tuesday 21 June the Hub's Rock Bands will be performing at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, followed on Friday 24 June by 'Singathlon', a concert at the New Theatre Royal, with hundreds of children singing about sport and healthy living.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub, who conducted the Recorder Festival said: "There's an enormous amount of musical talent in our city, and it's wonderful to see progress and passion. When children and young people get the chance to develop their creative skills and perform to an audience they really are inspirational."

First Taste of Opera

On Wednesday 8th June children from primary schools across Portsmouth had their first taste of opera at the New Theatre Royal, with the internationally-acclaimed vocalist Melanie Gall and ‘Tilly the opera mouse’.

30 children, aged between 7 and 11 years old, took part in workshops exploring a range of singing and performance skills, before Melanie Gall took to the stage to perform her one-woman show.

Using glove puppets, she told the story of Tilly Mouse who lives under an opera house. Tilly’s dream is to perform on stage, but whenever anybody sees her they scream and run away. With determination, imagination, and help from her friends, Tilly proves that even a mouse can be a star.

The children, who share a passion for singing, heard songs and arias from several operas during the performance, including Gianni Schicchi, Carmen and The Magic Flute.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub which organised the event, said: “The children’s confidence grew throughout the workshops, where they had the chance to develop their performance and singing skills, and it’s been a really exciting opportunity for the children to experience opera for the first time. Seeing the children’s enthusiasm and confidence proves that the arts have an important part to play in our young people’s education.”

After the event Ethan Maniebo, aged 11 from St. Paul’s Primary School, said: “It was a good experience and I learnt a lot of new things. I really like the acting and singing. It was brilliant and I didn’t realise I could sing opera.”

Inspirational Young Choir for Lord Mayor

On Tuesday 17 May the city of Portsmouth said goodbye to one Lord Mayor and welcomed another, and Portsmouth Music Hub was there to be part of the prestigious Mayor Making Ceremony which took place at Portsmouth's Guildhall.

In front of dignitaries, council leaders and the new Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, the Music Hub brought together a hundred children from six local primary schools to sing My Time, written by Hub composer Iain Gilmore.

It was a moving experience for everyone as the song describes the apprehension, the exhilaration and the sense of achievement which comes from taking to the stage and performing successfully; and as the new Lord Mayor began his first day of official duties it seemed an appropriate song for the occasion, performed by enthusiastic young voices wishing him well.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub, who conducted the young choir, said: "The children were very excited to be part of the ceremony, and they gave an unforgettable performance of a beautiful song which captured everyone's heart and imagination. We were delighted to be there, because children and young people are so important to our city, they represent the future, and it was fitting to have them perform for the new Lord Mayor." 

Portsmouth Chorister Sings With Aled Jones

On Wednesday 27th April choristers representing 60 choirs, churches, and cathedrals from across the country will come together with the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral to perform some of Britain’s best-loved choral music.  One of Portsmouth Cathedral’s own choristers will feature in this special celebration.

Eleanor Matthews, a student at Portsmouth Grammar School and chorister with the Portsmouth Cathedral Youth Choir, ‘Cantate’, was selected to be a member of this specially assembled choir and concert in support of cathedral music by the Friends of Cathedral Music. 

The Classic FM and ‘Pointless’ presenter Alexander Armstrong will also be speaking at the concert and celebration hosted by fellow Classic FM presenter, and former cathedral chorister, Aled Jones.

Recently, The Friends of Cathedral have cited that it costs £250,000 on average to run a cathedral choir for a year, and that across the United Kingdom, cathedrals spend around £15m per annum. These costs are rising while financial support is shrinking.  The Friends of Cathedral Music have been supporting cathedral choirs for the last 60 years. This special concert supporting FCM is sponsored by the Genesis Foundation, which plays an active role in nurturing and developing the careers of outstanding young artists, and Classic FM. 

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Eleanor, to sing in this special concert in such an amazing setting”, said Dr. David Price, Director of Music at Portsmouth Cathedral, “It is wonderful that Portsmouth Cathedral will be represented, but most of all that this concert will support choristers and their families.”

The concert will take place in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. It also launches the Friends of Cathedral Music’s new Diamond Fund for Choristers in this, FCM’s diamond jubilee year.

Launch of Portsmouth Jazz Band

Have you ever wanted to play jazz like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie or Louis Armstrong? Portsmouth Music Hub is giving young people in Portsmouth the opportunity to join a new jazz group.

The newly formed Portsmouth Jazz Band launches on Thursday 28 April, running from 6pm to 7pm, and will bring together young musicians who have a passion for jazz. There will be regular rehearsals, opportunities to improve skills under expert tuition, plus the chance to give public performances in venues across the City.

The Jazz Band will rehearse Thursday evenings at Portsmouth's Guildhall, and is open to anyone up to the age of 25. It's free to join and the only requirement is that musicians must be a minimum of Grade 5 standard on their instrument.

So, if you play the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, drums, keyboard, bass or guitar now's your chance to join the newest and most exciting Jazz Band in the City.

To find out more and to sign up just call Portsmouth Music Hub on 023 9237 5655 or email portsmouthmusichub@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.