Last Days of Choir

For the past eight years, the Nash family have made Portsmouth their home. Music and the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir have been a part of the rhythm of life for brothers, and choristers, Oliver and Ben. This past Christmas, Oliver Nash completed his tenure as Head Chorister with the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir, and reflected on over seven years of his life as a chorister. His father Phil, a Commander in the Royal Navy based in Portsmouth, also wrote about watching his sons growing up and what the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir has meant to their family.

"Seven years I have been a chorister. Hundreds of morning rehearsals, services – evensongs and eucharists – weddings, funerals and tours. The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir has been half my life, literally, and it seemed sad to bring so many experiences to a close. My last days as Head Chorister were spent singing in the Alpe d’Huez. I have sung at St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, Menin Gate and many other locations, but singing carols in my now-not-so-angelic-voice in the snow and attached to skis will remain one of my fondest memories of my time in choir, if not my life. The opportunities and knowledge earned from everything I had been presented with will remain priceless to me." Oliver Nash

“Children aren’t colouring books. You don’t get to fill them in with your favourite colours.” Those words, written by Khaled Hosseini, have often come back to me in the years since my eldest son, then aged seven, declared that he was going to be a chorister in Portsmouth Cathedral Choir. During those daydream moments that we all have in which we plan out our children’s lives I had not counted life as a chorister amongst the options. But now on Christmas Day, nearly eight years later, and having just watched that same boy finishing his spell as Head Chorister and therefore leaving the choir forever, I could not have imagined a more fulfilling way for my boys to spend their time. My retired Head Chorister is getting to grips with life after the choir and whilst the commitment has gone, the legacy is musicality, whether expressed through formal piano lessons or when trying to decipher an Ed Sheeran song from YouTube and repeating it on a guitar. So, this chorister chapter of our lives has given us much more than we had anticipated. Indeed, whilst I was deployed overseas with the Armed Forces last year I found myself sat in a café in the sunshine, dialled into WiFi in order to listen to my Head Chorister not only sing but also read a speech on Radio 4 as part of the national service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. So there is no doubt in my mind, it’s a good thing we parents don’t get to choose the colours." Phil Nash

The Urban Vocal Group Take to the Stage

On Sunday 13th December more than 80 singers from The Urban Vocal Group (UVG) took to the stage to perform their 5th annual concert at Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms.

66 young singers and 20 adults performed to a packed audience of more than 300 people, with unique arrangements of contemporary songs including ‘Uptown Funk’, ‘Story of my Life’ and ‘Fix You’ as well as original compositions. The group were joined on stage by rising star Jerry Williams who is the group’s patron, to perform her latest single ‘Boy Oh Boy’. The concert featured performances by The Adult UVG, a fee paying group whose profits go back into supporting free music activities for young people.

Alaina, aged 15, has been with the UVG for 10 months, she said: "The Wedge was amazing! Never would I have had the opportunity to do anything as brilliant as that with all these people."

After the concert UVG Director Charlie Fletcher said: “This is the biggest concert that we have ever staged with the largest amount of young people involved. The commitment and enthusiasm of everyone, both on stage and off, was remarkable and testament to the life changing benefits that come from participation in music.”

The UVG are a registered charity and have been running for 8 years offering free vocal tuition, song writing, recording and performance opportunities for young people aged 11 – 18. They are now one of the largest free to access music groups of its kind for young people in the South Coast.

At the end of the night parent Rachelle Cole said: “I loved it, some brilliant song choices and the talent, and sheer glow on the faces, made me enjoy it even more.  My children love coming to UVG, a relaxed, fun, organised singing group that make a difference.”

For more information on the groups and how to join please visit www.theuvg.co.uk

BSO Children's Concert

On Thursday 3 December musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra entertained a packed auditorium at the Guildhall in Portsmouth. The famous orchestra was there to perform a very special concert to 2000 children from Portsmouth and Hampshire entirely for free.

The programme of music was as diverse as it was spectacular, with music ranging from James MacMillan's Stomp, to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. And the children had the rare chance to join the world class musicians, with singing and body percussion.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub, said: "This is the type of event that proves that Music Hub's matter. Working with our Hub Partners, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Guildhall Cultural Trust, we've been able to provide hundreds of children an amazing opportunity to experience world class music from some of the top musicians in the country, all for free."

Later that evening the BSO performed a public concert marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sibelius.

School Receives Top Award

Admiral Lord Nelson School, based in Portsmouth, is one of a handful of schools from around the country that has received the Artsmark Platinum Award. The new award has been established by Arts Council England to acknowledge the work of outstanding schools in the field of the Arts.

Recipients of the prestigious award have to demonstrate that their schools arts and culture curriculum offers a wide variety of learning in alternative arts and culture subjects such as digital installations, videography or public art. Older students should have the opportunity to have greater input into what they learn, how they learn and how they record their learning, and schools must demonstrate that they have supported other schools with curriculum design.

Platinum Award winners need to show that their children have access to a wide range of national arts and culture experiences including trips to theatres, art galleries and museums, and that children have access to dance events, and installations and public outdoor art.

Julia Firth, Head of Performance at Admiral Lord Nelson School said: "Our journey started in June 2015 when we were asked to pilot the new award. We completed a detailed case study, outlining good practice within the school relating to the Arts. It was a lengthy task, but it highlighted the amazing things that happen at the school, from school plays to dance shows and music gigs. Finally we were rewarded with the news that the Arts at Admiral Lord Nelson School are outstanding."

Christmas Celebration Concert

On Wednesday 2 December Portsmouth Cathedral welcomed camels, angels, mince pies and wise men for a special Christmas Concert marking the start of the festive season.

These were just some of the costumes created by more than 300 children from primary schools across Portsmouth who had come together to perform a celebration Christmas show for pupils, teachers and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth.

The event was produced by Portsmouth Music Hub, and over the past few weeks teachers from 10 primary schools have been busy rehearsing the festive music and entertainment, with songs including Follow the Star, Away In a Manger and The Perfect Christmas Tree.

Ashley Oliver-Catt, Head of School at Cliffdale Primary Academy said: "The children have been preparing for the Christmas concert for weeks. They’ve been incredibly excited and it’s a real highlight for everyone, fun to watch and fun for all the children involved. For all of us here today, the concert really marked the start of Christmas."

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.