MUSIC HUB WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Portsmouth Music Hub has been awarded for its contribution to Corporate and Social Responsibility at a ceremony in London.

Portsmouth Music Hub, has won a CSR Excellence Award in the national campaign to find the best companies, councils and communities. They competed against more than 500 other nominations in the International CSR Excellence Awards for 2020.

The International CSR Excellence Awards took place on October 20th at the Waldorf Hotel, London and the Music Hub was there to be recognised for its One World environmental campaign, which since September 2018, has been harnessing the power of music and the arts to highlight local and global environmental problems and solutions.

The panel of independent judges commented: “The submission from Portsmouth Music Hub was for a most unusual and effective project - with the creation of many choirs; the writing of new songs carrying positive messages about the environment and other important issues; organising thousands of performances; and in this way raising environmental awareness among hundreds of thousands of people.  It is a truly inspirational and clever enterprise.”

The International CSR Awards recognise environmental best practices around the world. As part of the ceremony, international organisations were able to listen to the Hub's One World song on a video link and to hear about the Hub's award-winning work with children and young people.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said: "It is a tremendous privilege to receive this award and we are honoured that the Music Hub's One World campaign has now received three International awards. We aim to transform lives through music and we are delighted to see that our music is raising awareness of environmental issues and helping children across the globe to make changes needed to protect our planet."

Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Education said: "I'm delighted by Portsmouth Music Hub's fantastic achievement at The International CSR Excellence Awards. The Music Hub's outstanding work has a significant impact on not only the lives of children and young people in Portsmouth, but also, children right across the world. This award shows that music and the arts really do make a difference in the lives of children, young people and the whole community."

To find out more about Portsmouth Music Hub and its One World Campaign visit www.portsmouthmusichub.org.uk.

Environmental musical for young children

Portsmouth Music Hub has created a short musical singalong film to raise environmental awareness for young children.

Great for class assemblies or to watch at home with parents, the film is all about Graham the Seagull and his realisation that he needs to change his ways to protect his environment.

Daisy, aged 5 said "Graham is a very bad seagull and I don't want to be like him. I like the fun songs that make me want to dance and sing."

Kindness is the Key

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IS KEY TO NAVIGATING THE UNCERTAIN TIMES THAT WE ARE LIVING IN.  

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 18 - 24 May 2020 and this year the theme is kindness.  

KINDNESS IS THE KEY

We are proud to announce our brand new mental health initiative Sound Minds.

Sound Minds brings together musicians, composers, performers, teachers, community groups and thousands of children in a new campaign focussing on how music and the arts can help support the exploration, education and discussion around our mental health. express our emotions, support our well-being and most importantly continue conversations about mental health.

Sound Minds aims to use music and the arts to:

• PROMOTE the expression of our emotions

• SUPPORT our well-being

• PROVIDE a platform for children across the city to continue conversations about mental health

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS…

As part of the launch we are releasing a series of brand new songs starting with, When Life Gives you Lemons. Later in the week, another song will be released about taking time to be kind to one another, called A Minute Can Last a Lifetime.  

During the year Portsmouth Music Hub will be providing opportunities for schools and students across the city to explore mental health issues through music and the arts.  

As people are turning towards creativity in these challenging times, the 'Sound Minds' campaign provides a focus for children and young people to explore issues that are affecting them, using music and the arts. We welcome suggestions about how you would like the campaign to develop on-line as we explore a range of ways using the arts to reach out, support mental health and enhance our well-being.

Sue Beckett, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Music Hub

Portsmouth Music Hub has already received enthusiastic support for the Sound Minds campaign from the teaching community, Portsmouth City Council and student groups across the city, but we still need you. We welcome suggestions regarding the opportunities that we can offer during campaign or how you would like to see the campaign develop.

Song Source – keeping children singing wherever they are!

Launching today, Song Source features over 200 engaging songs for primary-aged children about life, the world and the universe, all at your fingertips.

Songs composed by Portsmouth Music Hub’s award-winning team are now available FREE for everyone with the launch of Song Source.  

Here’s a taster: https://youtu.be/LaAn6bWypQY

With songs about keeping fit, the environment, all sorts of topics and themes, there’s a song for everyone to sing!

Vicky Head, St Paul’s Primary School said, “Song Source has transformed the way I teach singing – it’s simply brilliant and anyone can use it!”

The Song Source website has great karaoke tracks so children can learn songs easily and sing along with the words on screen. There are lyric sheets to help learn words, backing tracks so children can perform once they are confident and scores so children who can play instruments can join in. 

Check out the site: https://www.portsmouthmusichub.org/songsource

Choose a song and get singing!

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said, “Our aim is to keep children singing where ever they are and Song Source does just that!” 

Recycling Heroes to the Rescue

Portsmouth Music Hub has launched a brand new song to celebrate Global Recycling day.

The song has been specially commissioned to mark Global Recycling Day, which this year is 18 March 2020. Since launching in 2018, Global Recycling Day celebrates the importance of recycling in order to preserve and secure the future of our planet.

The theme for 2020 is Recycling Hereos. The Global Recycling Foundation, who launched this important awareness day, hope to 'recognise the people, pleases and activities that showcase what an important role recycling playing in contributing to an environmentally stable planet and a greener future which will benefit all'.  

The song has been made available to all schools across the city for pupils to sing, with a creative and engaging video created to reinforce the message.

CHRISTMAS ROCKS!

Portsmouth Grammar School played host to future rock stars on Thursday (12 Dec), when young people from across the city took to the stage for Portsmouth Music Hub's Christmas production of Rock the Rooms.

The evening included performances from Portsmouth Music Hub's very own Actions Stations, Victory and Warrior Rock Bands, and with music from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ray Charles and KT Tunstall, the audience enjoyed powerful stage performances from soloists and singers.

The three rock bands, made up of different age groups at different stages of their development, meet every week during term time. Led by professional musicians they are encouraged to grow musically and to share their passion for music in a supportive environment.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub, said: "We're lucky to have such a talented group of musicians, playing together and learning from each other, and then coming together for an incredible evening of live music. Portsmouth Music Hub firmly believes that giving young people an opportunity to get creative, to learn from each other and to have fun together will pay dividends in every aspect of young person's journey into adulthood. Increasingly the evidence tells us that music supports learning, develops confidence and supports communication skills. Actions Stations, Victory and Warrior Rock Bands are an exciting example of children and young people making a difference and performing at their very best."

MUSIC HUB CHRISTMAS FINALE

After a busy term of music-making, practice and rehearsals young musicians from Portsmouth Music Hub's choirs and ensembles came together on Tuesday (3 Dec) for a Christmas Concert at St. Mary's Church in Portsmouth.

For the young performers, at different ages and musical abilities, it was an opportunity to showcase their developing skills and passion for music to an enthusiastic audience of families and friends. A Christmas Medley, Jingle Bells, Let It Snow and All I Want For Christmas is You were just some of the songs celebrating the festive season, but the young musicians and singers couldn't resist performing the music from Fame and songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Portsmouth Music Hub runs a series of ensembles throughout the year. With choirs, a concert band, orchestras and rock bands the ensembles form an important part of the Music Hub's continuing commitment to engaging and inspiring children and young people with a diverse range of musical and cultural opportunities.

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said after the Christmas show: "Every child, no matter what their background, should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument or to be part of a choir. Music-making enriches the cultural life of every child and our ensembles aim to support young people as they develop their abilities and their passion for music. On top of high-quality tuition from our team of music professionals, and the chance to play in wonderful venues like St. Mary's Church, children have time to socialise with each other, learn, communicate and have fun in a creative environment. The concert tonight has been a celebration, not only of Christmas, but of the exciting ensembles that offer our children and young people so much.”

A NOISY NATIVITY!

The magic of Christmas came to Portsmouth on Wednesday (4 Dec) when primary-aged children from across the city came together for Portsmouth Music Hub's Special Christmas Concert; but it wasn't a quiet affair. 

To celebrate the festive season children performed a production of the Noisy Nativity. This musical adaptation of the traditional story included all the familiar characters, with Mary and Joseph, the Angel Gabriel and the wise men making an appearance, but the Noisy Nativity also included bumpy camels, knocking on doors, a deafening donkey, excited sheep, chattering shepherds and of course a famous crying baby. For all the teachers, parents and guests the Schools Special Christmas Concert was most definitely not a 'silent night'.

Jane Smith, aged 6, from Cottage Grove Primary School, said after the concert: "Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I loved being part of the Noisy Nativity. I loved the costumes and the singing, I loved all the noisy animals, and it was amazing to have a band playing when we sang."

The children from Cliffdale Primary Academy, College Park Infant School, Corpus Christi Primary School, Cottage Grove Primary School, Mary Rose Academy, Northern Parade Infant School

St. Paul's Primary School were joined by members of the Citadel Salvation Army Band. The musicians gave up their time to perform Christmas favourites including Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. 

The Music Hub's Christmas Concert has been running for the past 16 years, giving children from mainstream and special schools the opportunity to work together and share their passion for music, dancing, drama and Christmas! 

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub said: "It really is impossible not to enjoy the special Christmas Concert, everyone leaves the Cathedral with a smile on their face. This concert is an annual highlight for everyone involved, and it's heart-warming to see so many children with many different needs and backgrounds coming together to perform, to celebrate and sing their hearts out. Children don't see barriers, they don't make judgements, and the purity of their joy and enthusiasm, working together, having fun together and being inspired by music, lies at the heart of everything we do at the Hub. The Schools Special Christmas Concert is Christmas, all wrapped up."

The magic of Christmas came to Portsmouth on Wednesday (4 Dec) when primary-aged children from across the city came together for Portsmouth Music Hub's Special Christmas Concert; but it wasn't a quiet affair. To celebrate the festive season children performed a production of the Noisy Nativity.