Infant Voices Festival 2026
Infant Voices Festival is an opportunity for KS1 children to join with other schools across the city to sing together and share performances.
Infant Voices comprises of a festival week held at schools across the city, followed by an optional showcase performance at Portsmouth Guildhall for Year 1 and 2.
This year, we will be using song from the Hub’s songbook Bombay’s Big Adventure.
What do Schools have to do?
Attend the twilight session on Tuesday 4 November at 4pm on Zoom
Teach the selected community songs from Bombay Big Adventure prior to the allocated festivals in February.
Teach 1 allocated solo song prior to the allocated festivals.
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The Festival takes place the week beginning Monday 23 February to Friday 27 February 2026.
The optional Infant Voices Showcase will take place on Tuesday 17 March at Portsmouth Guildhall.
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The festivals are held at host schools across the city.
You will be allocated a festival based on your preferences given when signing up:
Monday 23 February | 1:15pm - 2:30pm | Cottage Grove Primary School
Tuesday 24 February | 9:45 - 11am | Highbury Primary School
Tuesday 24 February | 1:15pm - 2:30pm | Stamshaw Infant School
Wednesday 25 February | 9:45 - 11am | Westover Primary School
Wednesday 25 February | 1:15pm - 2:30pm | Southsea Infant School
Thursday 26 February | 9:45 - 11am | St. Paul's Catholic Primary School
Thursday 26 February | 1:15pm - 2:30pm | Manor Infant School
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Morning Festivals: Arrive by 9:35 for a 9:45 start. The festival will finish by 11:00
Afternoon Festivals: Arrive by 13:05 for a 13:15 start. The festival will finish by 14:30.
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Schools can bring up to 3 classes in total in what ever configuration of Year R, 1 and 2, that suits your school (subject to space at festivals).
For example you can bring 1 class of Reception, 1 class of Year 1 & 1 class of Year 2, or bring 3 classes of just Year 2.
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Schools will sing 5 community songs from Portsmouth Music Hub's songbook Bombay’s Big Adventure.
Schools taking part in the showcase event in March, will then sing 1 solo song which will be allocated at the planning meeting.
Schools not taking part in the showcase event, will sing 1 solo song of their choosing. This can be on any theme.
Please note if you would like your children to be considered for an individual slot at the Guildhall, the actual 30 children performing at the Guildhall need to sing together at the Festival. Massed performances with two or more classes cannot be considered.
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Your children are welcome to wear costumes and use props at the Festival however this is not essential and the aim is to come along and enjoy the singing.
Decisions about solo slots at the Guildhall will be made on quality of singing, not costumes or use of props.
If you need a CD or MP3 file for your solo performance, remember to bring it to the venue. You should use an instrumental version without adult or children’s voices on the backing track.
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Please bring a list of all the children and staff you will have with you to give to the host school office staff for health and safety.
If you need a CD or MP3 file for your solo performance, remember to bring it to the venue. You should use an instrumental version without adult or children’s voices on the backing track.
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This exciting opportunity for Year 1 and 2 children will take place on Tuesday 17 March at 6pm at Portsmouth Guildhall.
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Not necessarily - some schools will be chosen to sing their individual schools songs. The schools selected will be informed following the Festival Week.
All schools should prepare a solo song even if they are only taking part in the festival week.
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Schools can bring 1 class (30 children approx.) to the Showcase performance at Portsmouth Guildhall. This can be either Year 1 or Year 2.
If there are any spaces left for additional children these will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Festival Information
Community Songs Choir A
Solo Festival Songs Choir A
Community Songs Choir B
Solo Festival Songs Choir B
Showcase Performance Information
Community Songs Choir A
Tickets
As this event is part of Portsmouth 100 celebrations, all tickets are funded tickets for families. Please note that standard booking fees still apply
Tickets for Infant Voices are free and families can access them first via the Guildhall website using the special schools booking link: https://tickets.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/webshop/webticket/shop?kassierer=webw&event=2144&mc=PMHIV26Ports100
Tickets are initially limited to a maximum of 4 tickets per child, with additional tickets available to book from 10 March, when they go on general release.