Portsmouth Music Hub’s Singing Champions Inspire Global Audience at the Education World Forum 2026
Portsmouth Music Hub is proud to celebrate the outstanding performance of its Singing Champions at the prestigious Education World Forum (EWF) 2026 in London on 19 May. Performing in front of an audience of international education ministers, policymakers and leaders, the young singers delivered a powerful musical message centred on the importance of youth voice and the potential for young people to drive meaningful change.
The Education World Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers, bringing together representatives from over 100 countries to discuss global education policy, innovation, and collaboration. The event provides a unique platform for sharing ideas and highlighting impactful educational initiatives from across the world.
Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub and Head of Portsmouth Music Service, added:
“It was an enormous privilege for Portsmouth’s Singing Champions choir to be invited to perform at the Education World Forum in London. The children represented their city with exceptional talent, confidence and joy, and they were a credit to their schools, families and community. Watching them inspire an international audience through music was a truly proud and memorable moment.”
The Singing Champions programme is a city-wide initiative from Portsmouth Music Hub that empowers young people to become vocal ambassadors for their schools, building confidence and musical ability, and creating a culture where singing is at the heart of school life. Singing Champions develop their singing, leadership and teaching skills through workshops and collaborative performances, as well as singing together as part of a flagship choir.
At the Forum, the choir performed three original songs composed by Portsmouth Music Service: A Voice in This World, Change Maker, and One World. Each piece explored themes of empowerment, unity and the value of young people speaking up on issues that matter to them. The performance resonated deeply with the Forum’s international audience, offering an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of music and youth engagement.
Dr. Fabrizio Trifiró, Programme Director, Education World Forum, praised the performance:
“The Singing Champions brought an energy to the Education World Forum that was nothing short of inspiring. Their performance in front of our visiting international ministers was a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, create, and express themselves with confidence. We were honoured to have them with us, and deeply grateful for the vibrancy and hope they brought to the 2026 Education World Forum – congratulations!”
Vicky Sharpe, Conductor at Portsmouth Music Service, reflected on the significance of the occasion:
“Taking the Singing Champions choir to the Education World Forum was a truly moving celebration of the music, spirit, and soul of our city. Seven schools came together as one, reflecting the rich diversity of Portsmouth, and performed with extraordinary passion, courage, and pride. Every note carried meaning, every voice told a story. I hope that their voices reached far beyond the stage - speaking directly to education ministers from across the world with a powerful and heartfelt message: our young people matter, they must be heard, and they have the strength and vision to create real change. In that moment, they didn’t just perform - they inspired, they challenged, and they proved that their voices can shape the future.”
The performance was a powerful demonstration of how music education can amplify young voices and foster global understanding. Portsmouth Music Hub remains committed to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality musical opportunities that enable them to express themselves, connect with others, and shape the future.
Portsmouth Music Service is the Lead Organisation for Portsmouth Music Hub, part of the South Coast Music Partnership, which receives funding from Arts Council England