The Music Man Project

The Landport Community Centre was abuzz with excitement as, St. John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School and Redwood Park Academy, came together to witness an extraordinary event – a special performance by The Music Man Project.

The Music Man Project, founded by David Stanley BEM, is renowned for its commitment to promoting music education and inclusion for individuals with learning disabilities. Their performances are known for their extraordinary blend of talent, enthusiasm, and heart-warming moments.

The smiles on the faces of the performers were infectious, and their confidence was inspiring. The event sent a powerful message that when given the opportunity and support, individuals with learning disabilities can achieve remarkable feats.

London Welcomes Portsmouth Music Hub's Special Events Choir in Spectacular Palace of Westminster Performance.

Working in partnership with The Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth Music Hub’s Special Events Choir performed two specially composed songs ‘Living on the Mary Rose’ and ‘Heroes of the Mary Rose’ at the iconic Place of Westminster. This remarkable performance was made possible by the dedication and talent of students from St Edmund's Catholic School and St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School.

This awe-inspiring musical experience captivated the hearts and minds of all in attendance. The collaboration between the Special Events Choir and The Mary Rose Trust is a testament to the power of partnership in promoting the arts and education. This event highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent and providing them with unique opportunities to showcase their skills on prestigious stages.

Portsmouth Music Hub launches 5-year Music Inclusion strategy

Portsmouth Music Hub has published its music inclusion strategy, which aims to set out its plans to develop equality, diversity and inclusion across the Hub and to develop diverse musical opportunities for children and young people across Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Music Hub, which has just celebrated its 10th Anniversary, aims to transform and inspire lives through high quality music and cultural engagement.

"The Music Hub has been fortunate to receive funding from Youth Music to develop its inclusion practice. As part of the process, we have received some extremely valuable thoughts, ideas and opinions from many sectors of Portsmouth's diverse community about what musical inclusion really means. In particular, how children and young people could be supported through music, identifying barriers to musical participation and the genres of music that are the most popular amongst children and young people across the city."  

Ruth Morgan, Music Inclusion Manager at Portsmouth Music Hub

As a consequence of the pandemic, there are significant challenges for children, young people and adults. Addressing well-being and mental health is important for everyone and the Music Hub is developing opportunities for further development in these aspects through high quality musical opportunities. Portsmouth Music Hub is already acting on the results of the research offering a range of musical opportunities that address both musical outcomes as well as social and personal outcomes.

The Hub is determined to raise awareness of the city's strong foundation in the arts and culture to inspire children and young people today as well as future generations to enjoy music, experience its numerous benefits and raise awareness of music as a possible career.

Portsmouth is a unique maritime city which has been the home to many famous people over the years, including musicians. Just a few of the famous people born in Portsmouth include English actress and TV personality, Amanda Holden, Supertramp's Charles Hodgson, and film producer Allison Owen who is also mother to the singer Lily Allen. Portsmouth is also the birthplace of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, former Prime Minister James Callaghan and author Charles Dickens, one of the most prominent writers of the Victorian era.

 As part of the research before the inclusion strategy was completed, the Music Hub has looked at the areas of deprivation in the city. Research shows that there is a very mixed range of deprivation across Portsmouth and of the of the 125 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Portsmouth, there are 15 which are in the 10% most deprived areas in England. With over 120 languages other than English spoken in Portsmouth schools, the Hub is also keen to support those who speak English as an additional language.

"Portsmouth Music Hub has always been committed to inclusion and can proudly demonstrate numerous examples of inclusive practice and impressive inclusive musical performances over the years. The research which has led to this Inclusion Strategy will be invaluable in developing the Hub's inclusive practice further. Now, more than ever, the children and young people of Portsmouth need the Hub to have clear and inclusive city-wide priorities to ensure that the outstanding music delivery is maintained, despite the inevitable challenges because of the pandemic. Portsmouth Music Hub is committed to promoting the message that music and the arts continue to be invaluable for everyone and even more so now."

Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub  

Vacancy - Curriculum Teacher

Portsmouth

Part Time, Fixed Term

£18,419 - £36,961

22nd November 2021

Curriculum – Music Teacher – fixed term contract until the 31 August 2022

Salary:  Pay is claimed monthly. The rate of pay is linked to teachers’ pay scales and is determined by the experience and qualifications of the person appointed. The salary scale will be capped at Main Scale 6, however more experienced teachers may apply.  Unqualified:  £18,419 (UQ1)- £28,735, Qualified: MPR1: £25,714 – MPR6: £36,961 pa, pro rata) (UQ6)

Hours per week:        0.333 FTE – To be confirmed with schools

                                    This work is term-time only.

Portsmouth Local Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is also committed to promoting quality childcare across the City that works to improve outcomes for children.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children’s Board safer recruitment procedures.

Portsmouth Music Service has an office base c/o Paulsgrove Community Centre, Marsden Road, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, PO6 4JB

Portsmouth City Council

At Portsmouth City Council we’re all about developing our staff, because we want to build a bigger and better city but we need the best employees to do so.

With a little over 207,000 residents and 7,000 businesses throughout this city, this unitary authority’s main goal is to ensure the best care and development of all those within the city. From customer service to Multi-million pound projects, our residents are at the heart of everything we do.

Your New Role

You will be teaching curriculum music and whole class instrumental according to National Curriculum requirements face to face or online if Covid restrictions change. This will involve planning and teaching lively and engaging lessons whilst assessing pupils learning and progress.  

Other responsibilities will include:

• developing and maintaining an effective relationship with the school

• maintaining good order among pupils with particular regard to their health and safety of the children

• participating in arrangements for training and professional development and keeping up to date with best practice in music education including appraisal

• following the policies and protocols of the Music Service and Portsmouth City Council at all times

• carrying out any other duties as may reasonably be required

• the postholder will be accountable to the Head of Portsmouth Music Service and line managed by a member of the Senior Leadership Team

What you’ll need to succeed

You will be an experienced, committed and effective teacher who is able to engage and enthuse children at primary age.  You will know how to plan and teach whole class instrumental and curriculum music to individuals and small groups and have an understanding of the National Curriculum and the assessment requirements for schools.

What you’ll get in return

As well as highly competitive pay you’ll receive all the benefits of working within a local authority organisation, which ranges from flexible working hours to a fantastic pension which allows you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return. We wish to support all our staffs development throughout, if that’s progression planning or involvement within the on the job apprenticeship scheme we will work together to drive your career. For those with families we have child care benefits as well as discounts with local businesses which can be enjoyed by all.

Music Making a Difference

Music is certainly making a difference to the students of St. Paul's Catholic Primary School, as Penny Mordant MP was able to observe first-hand. With additional funding from the Government's Cultural Recovery Fund, students had access to new, easy-to-clean instruments and online resources created especially to enhance the musical offer provided to schools through Portsmouth Music Hub.

Performing along with a specially composed song about Portsmouth, the students created an enthusiastic performance using boomwhackers, playing confidently and safely in their class bubble. The smiles on their faces said it all!

“The Cultural Recovery Fund has enabled the Music Hub to continue to provide a high quality offer to schools across the city, benefitting thousands of the city’s students. The digital song bank has been accessed by over 70 countries worldwide, and this has been made possible thanks to this invaluable funding.”

— Sue Beckett, CEO Portsmouth Music Hub

As part of the funding, some students have had the opportunity to work with professional composers to express their responses to the past 16 months of lockdown, online learning, separation and for some, sickness and loss. Students from the Flying Bull Academy have written a song called "Can't Hold us Down", incorporating a rap that summarises the events of the last 16 months, their experiences and aspects that are particularly pertinent to them.

“These songs reflect the power of music as an expressive channel for communication and the process of creating music to share and address feelings and responses is a remarkable tool as part of students’ recovery.”

— Simon Jutton, Senior Relationship Manager for Arts Council England

Portsmouth Music Hub works closely with schools supporting their students' musical access and opportunities. As part of the Cultural Recovery Fund an online show about the Tasks of Hercules has been created and filmed and will be premiered on the Hub's YouTube Channel on July 14th. Penny Mordaunt MP described the initiative as an "innovative and creative legacy performed by the city's children and young people for their community to enjoy."

“It is impressive to see the continued work of Portsmouth Music Hub in enabling children and young people to participate in, and enjoy arts activities, which clearly enhances their well-being and underpins their learning in so many ways.”

— Penny Mordaunt MP

New cultural education guides published

Arts Council England has published new cultural education guides for Governing Boards

The Music Guide can be read here

"Cultural education subjects encourage pupils to express themselves, to build confidence and to develop creative thinking skills, unlocking young people’s potential and preparing them to succeed in life. Schools remain the single most important place where children can access great cultural experiences… We hope these resources will inspire you to develop your understanding of how cultural education subjects can change the lives of children and young people and that they will support you in your role."

- Dr Darren Henley OBE Chief Executive, Arts Council England

LETTUCE SING!

May 24th sees the launch of Portsmouth Music Hub's Lettuce Sing! - a brand new collection of 10 songs, aimed at KS 1 and 2, to celebrate the United Nations International Year of the Fruit and Vegetables 2021.

Lettuce Sing! links in with a nationwide campaign from ITV and Veg Power to encourage children and young people to eat more vegetables: Veg Power - Eat Them To Defeat Them.

Lettuce Sing! celebrates fruit and vegetables and raises awareness of the importance of eating ‘Five A Day’. Songs include issues around food waste, fruit and vegetables from around the world and they encourage children and young people to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Sue Beckett, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Music Hub said, "Using exciting music to educate children and young people about important issues is a great way to actively engage them and help them to learn and remember key facts. Songs like the 'Banana Boogie Woogie’ and 'Rock your Greens' are bound to become firm favourites!

 The songs and resources can be accessed freely at: https://www.portsmouthmusichub.org/songsource

Look out for eye-catching images of different fruit and vegetables “attacking” different Portsmouth landmarks each week linked to the 10 songs released over the next few weeks alongside Veg Power.

For more information about Lettuce Sing! Contact : sue.beckett@portmouthcc.gov.uk

Vacancy - Keyboard/Ukulele

Portsmouth

Casual, Part Time

Hourly paid, based on experience but capped at M1 (£26.37)

25/11/2020 12:00 pm

Keyboard/Piano Teacher

We are looking for a keyboard/piano teacher for the following hours:

6.00 hours per week at the following times:

15:30 – 18:00 on Tuesdays

15:45 – 17:45 on Wednesdays

15:30 – 17:00 on Fridays

This work is term-time only.

Lessons will be taught online using Zoom for the time being, after which, they will take place in a secondary school.

Ukulele Teacher

We are looking for a ukulele teacher for the following hours:

1.5 hours per week

This work is term-time only to cover a maternity post for the spring term.

Lessons will be taught in a primary school with KS2 students.

Salary is hourly paid, based on experience but capped at M1 (£26.37) though we welcome applications from all experience.

Your New Role

In this role you will be teaching keyboard and piano lessons to individuals and small groups online and/or face to face, including planning lively and engaging lessons. You will assess pupils learning and progress as well as record and report on progress as required. You will develop an effective relationship with the school and maintain good order among pupils with regard to their health and safety. You will participate in arrangements for training and professional development and keeping up to date with best practice in music education, including appraisal. You will follow the policies and protocols of the Music Service and Portsmouth City Council at all times.

What you’ll need to succeed

To be successful you will need to be an experience, committed and effective teacher and be able to engage and enthuse children (for keyboard at secondary age, for ukulele at primary age). You will be able to communicate effectively at all levels as well as know how to teach good technique. You will be able to plan and teach individuals and small groups. You will have an understanding of the National Curriculum and the assessment requirements for schools.

What you’ll get in return

As well as highly competitive pay you’ll receive all the benefits of working within a local authority organisation, which ranges from flexible working hours to a fantastic pension which allows you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return. Annual leave starts at 26 days going up to 30 days and staff discounts for travel and local shops. We wish to support all our staffs development throughout, if that’s progression planning or involvement within the on the job apprenticeship scheme we will work together to drive your career.