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The Guildhall Trust is delighted to announce that with effect from 1st April 2021, the multi-award-winning Urban Vocal Group (UVG) will be joining the Trust with the aim of increasing opportunities for young people to engage in singing and music-making, to develop transferable skills and to nurture positive health and wellbeing. Having been based in Portsmouth Guildhall (which is run by the charitable The Guildhall Trust) for the past seven years, UVG has developed a strong partnership with the Trust which has a shared vision around its work, particularly with those from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds. Since forming in 2008, UVG has provided over 18,000 free opportunities across a range of activities including its weekly singing groups, gigs, recordings and performances (including at Victorious Festival) to training, masterclasses, songwriting, mentoring and artist development.   The Guildhall Trust’s rich programme of ‘Get Involved’ workshops, activities, groups an...

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra is 53 years old this year and they're celebrating this occasion with a new YouTube channel. Founded in 1967 by trumpeter and arranger Syd Lawrence, The fabulous Syd Lawrence Orchestra has been thrilling audiences in concert halls, theatres, television shows, and music festivals all over Great Britain and Continental Europe for over 50 years. Renowned for its exciting blend of high octane big band swing and classic dance music, the Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the wartime million sellers of the legendary Glenn Miller through the era of the great Count Basie Orchestra to the hit songs of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  Count Basie himself described the Syd Lawrence Orchestra as “So good it should be BANNED!”.  Hits from the Great American Songbooks of George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin and singers Frank Sinatra, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, Matt Monro, Ella Fitzgerald, Pe...

Today Portsmouth Guildhall launches its Summer Staycation series of online events to help you make the most of your summer holidays at home in the UK this year. Featuring a range of interactive events, live-streamed performances, competitions and activities there is something to keep all ages entertained throughout August and even a special offer to get on board with the excitement of the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme! Singers and non-singers of all abilities are invited to give their lungs a workout with the Guildhall’s weekly live sing-a-long sessions (every Wednesday at 4pm) with the Urban Vocal Group who take on the classics with a different themed twist each week from Disney to Disco and 60s to the Musicals!    If sitting back, relaxing and watching some fantastic local artists is more your thing don’t miss out on the weekly Summertime Sessions in association with LMSUK Media every Thursday at 7pm, featuring chilled live-streamed gigs from the sitting rooms of...

Following some cancelled concerts due to the pandemic lockdown, music partner for the Portsmouth Chamber Music Series, Music in the Round, is organising a free online festival of music from some of the world’s finest musicians. Sheffield Chamber Music Festival at home (#SCMFhome) will feature more than a dozen specially curated performances, talks and family events, all launching on the  Music in the Round YouTube channel  over two days on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May. The plans follow Music in the Round’s recent announcement that this year’s Sheffield Chamber Music Festival, their 36th annual festival, cannot go ahead as planned from 8 to 16 May in the Crucible Studio. Instead of appearing in the Studio, many of the city’s resident Ensemble 360 musicians are bringing people closer to the music by inviting them (virtually!) into their own homes. They’ll perform a wide variety of classical music pieces, first introduced (just as they would on stage) with some informal ...

The city’s iconic Portsmouth Guildhall may currently be closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but The Guildhall Trust, the charity behind the busy concert and conferencing venue, is determined that the ‘Show Will Go On’ when they are given the go-ahead to re-open, with lots of rescheduled shows and new events also going on sale. The Guildhall’s popular Portsmouth Comic Con is moved back to Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August with Jamie Cullum, Elbow, Jimmy Carr and the world’s leading MJ tribute; King of Pop all moved back to dates later in the Summer and Autumn. Other shows are moving into the Winter/Spring of 2021 including Paul Weller, Chris Ramsey, Milton Jones, Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals, The Boys are Back and The Joe and Dianne Show. The Guildhall Trust is still working with the promoters of a small number of shows to reschedule dates and they thank people for their patience as promoters work through the monumental task of rerouting their entire tours. Existin...

Portsmouth residents can enjoy a huge range of entertainment, including music, books, and magazines, while they're staying home. And it's all free. All they need to do is use their library card, or sign up to be a library member online. Because although Portsmouth City Council's library buildings are closed, their digital services are available 24/7. Residents can enjoy all these free services: audiobooks and e-books, including bestsellers and online reading group titles unlimited music streaming, from rock and pop to classical and world music magazines and comics to download and keep or read online, including top national titles hundreds of UK and international newspapers, including The News Plus, whether or not you're a library member, you can get lots of ideas to keep the whole family occupied on the  Official Portsmouth Libraries Facebook page . These include: story videos for younger children ideas for art and craft activities to keep...

The Guildhall Trust recently announced that composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland OBE DL is to join the Trust as a Patron and advocate for the Renaissance of Portsmouth Guildhall. As a regular performer at Portsmouth Guildhall, Jools was keen to offer his support to the Trust’s ambitious Renaissance programme of renovation and restoration which will support the Trust’s vision to become one of leading cultural organisations in the country; inspiring, entertaining and transforming lives. To be completed in two phases over the coming years, Renaissance will create a welcoming and accessible hub for the community and provide improved customer facilities, backstage areas and dynamic social spaces. After starting out playing pubs in the East End docks, Jools Holland went on to lead his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and sell millions of records worldwide. He was an original member of the band 'Squeeze' and he has worked with many artists, including St...

As I enjoyed the sunshine during the May Bank Holiday, I made a list of some lovely events you can enjoy this month. The award-winning circus theatre company Ockham's Razor performs at the New Theatre Royal this Friday 10 May and Saturday 11 May. Good for anyone aged 5 and above. On Saturday 11 May Portsmouth Cathedral hosts a Rumfest. Enjoy live music whilst sampling a whole host of different rums, in partnership with the Portsmouth Distillery Company. Portsmouth Light Orchestra is in concert on 11 May at the Church of the Resurrection in Drayton. Tickets £7 from 02392 371135. Flo & Joan are the British musical comedy duo, and sisters, Nicola and Rosie Dempsey. They return for a hometown show at the Wedgewood Rooms on 12 May. Expert Touch Tour guide Jo Bressloff leads a fascinating tour of The D-Day Story’s Overlord Embroidery on 14 May. Spaces must be booked in advance from 02392 834744 or email mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk . Portsmouth Films Society runs the Green Festival on 15...

Children and young people came together on Wednesday 13 March at Portsmouth's Guildhall for an evening of music, drama and dance. Soundsational was a celebration of musical talent in Portsmouth and it was an opportunity for the young performers to take to the stage in front of enthusiastic audience of friends, families and members of the public. In the company of the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, schools and colleges from across the city performed a variety of familiar songs, stage hits and extracts from musicals. Elton John's Circle of Life, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate and songs from Fame were just some of the songs performed alongside music from the Kings of Leon, Nirvana and Foo Fighters. The stage was packed with rock bands, choirs, dance groups and the audience were delighted by the eclectic mix of music that left everyone wanting more. Cllr Suzy Horton from Cabinet Member for Education said after the show: "It's been an incredible ...

The Guildhall is hosting a free event to celebrate the cultural and creative industries in the city on Thursday 31 January from 8:30am-1pm at Guildhall Studio, Portsmouth Guildhall. At the event, Cllr Steve Pitt,Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Sport at Portsmouth City Council, will talk about the importance of cultural and creative industries for the region's economic growth while Professor Trevor Keeble from the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at the University of Portsmouth will talk about employment and enterprise in the UK Creative Industries and in Portsmouth. There will also be key note speakers from successful international creative film, design and music industries who will be sharing their experiences, discussing future challenges and how we shape future growth in the city. Cllr Steve Pitt said: "There's a huge amount of creativity in the city and many cultural and creative industries to celebrate including literature, film and music, art, ...

The 2018-19 Portsmouth Chamber Music series gets underway on Monday 8 October with the Goldmund String Quartet from Germany performing. The programme is an exciting one, with one of Haydn's greatest quartets, the second of Beethoven's Rasumovsky quartets, and the extraordinary 3rd quartet by Shostakovich. "I heard the Goldmund Quartet at the Wigmore Hall in April and they are incredible - I've rarely heard such powerful yet musical playing," said Colin Jagger, the Director of Music at the University of Portsmouth , who sponsors the series. Now in its fifteenth season, the Portsmouth Chamber Music Series brings world-class musicians to the city. Presented in partnership with Music in the Round and the Portsmouth Cultural Trust , it showcases the finest music in informal surroundings where the audience is never more than a few metres from the performers. Tickets are £18 with £16 concessions, available in person from the Guildhall , by calling 023 9387 0200, ...

Portsmouth Chamber Music Series announces its lineup for the 2018-2019 season in Portsmouth Guildhall, beginning on Monday October 8, 2018 at 7.30 pm. The series marks its 15th year with six concerts, featuring works by five composers new to the programme, including the young British composer Joseph Phibbs. The series welcome back Ensemble 360 and the Piatti Quartet. New to the series will be world renowned pianist Steven Osborne, Goldmund Quartet and Trio Isimsiz. The particular feature of the chamber series in Portsmouth is that the audience is seated around the musicians. It is a very intimate setting and gives everyone the feeling of shared musical experience which the audience really enjoy. Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth, the concerts are jointly promoted by Music in the Round in Sheffield, the UK’s largest promoter of chamber music outside London, as well as the Portsmouth Cultural Trust and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. “If I had a crystal ball in 2004 when ...

The University of Portsmouth music ensembles will perform at the New Theatre Royal on Saturday 19 May ahead of their Spanish tour. Every two years the music ensembles at the University of Portsmouth go on tour to a European country, performing four concerts in a variety of venues. This year they are visiting Figueres in Catalonia, Spain. Concerts are often full and our students enjoy the hospitality extended by locals. On one memorable occasion in Slovenia a local butcher held an impromptu barbecue for the 70 or so members because there was no restaurant in his village. On another occasion the choir performed to a huge crowd at the Zwickau Town Hall celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the famous composer Schumann. Being part of such a momentous occasion certainly left an indelible memory on the students. In fact, since tour was introduced in 2004, alumni would often come back and join the ensembles for the week-long trip. “Our students really gel during this wee...

The award-winning University of Portsmouth Choir will be singing the Chichester Psalms to celebrate 100 years since Leonard Bernstein’s birth. The Choir, who recently scooped the Best Classical award at The News Guide Awards for their performance of The Messiah in March last year, will pay tribute to the legendary composer with a rendition of one of his greatest works. The concert, which takes place in St Mary’s Church, Fratton on Saturday 17th March at 7:30pm, will also feature Janacek’s Otcenas in its original Czech and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man as the Choir sings an exciting array of choral repertoire. Choir conductor, Dr George Burrows, says the four psalm texts of the Chichester Psalms, which is sung in Hebrew is “at once modernistic, powerful, dance-like, melodic and beautiful.” Comparatively Janacek’s setting of the Lord’s Prayer Otcenas is just as distinctive and modern but was written some 60 years before Bernstein’s work and the musical language is more sparse and mo...

Gunwharf Quays is preparing for a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration on   17th February .  Marking the Year of the Dog, Gunwharf Quays will be hosting an unforgettable day of entertainment and incredible offers.  Guests will also have the opportunity to experience the ultimate in Chinese celebration with a Chinese dragon parade and Chinese lion dancing, accompanied by spectacular drum artists and performers from the UK Shaolin Temple. Visitors must look out for thousands of red envelopes that will be distributed throughout the centre all weekend containing special offers. A Chinese New Year custom, the ‘Hongbao’ are traditionally red envelopes containing money – given as good luck at New Year. Lucky shoppers who receive a red envelope will be able to make the most of exclusive discounts across many of Gunwharf Quays’ famous brands. Yvonne Clay, Senior Marketing Manager at Gunwharf Quays, said: “We are passionate about bringing the community together...

Ding-dong comes December! Google Dictionary says ‘ding-dong’ stands for a riotous party. I hope everyone is merrily looking forward to this festive season. This Saturday 9 December check out CURIO: Southsea Creative Pop Up in the Trinity Church Hall on Albert Road. On Sunday 10 December, the Milton Glee Club will be holding its Christmas Concert at the Guildhall at 3 pm. That evening, the University Concert and Big Band are holding their Christmas Concert at the Royal Marines Museum in Eastney at 7.30 pm. On Monday 11 December listen to Peoples' Stories Coffee Morning at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in the Historic Dockyard. On 14 December head to the Live Lounge event in the Guildhall, featuring the Blues legend Paul Jones. Don’t forget to give ice-skating a go with your family. The ring at Guildhall Square will be there until 2 January. Join the Christmas Elf Trail at the Spinnaker Tower from now until 24   December. Meet Santa at the Gro...

Violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen was in concert at Portsmouth Guildhall last night with pianist James Baillieu.  Tamsin gave a superb rendition of Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1; strong, angry and despairing. It was emotional and stunning at the same time. The memory of this concert will linger for months. In contrast, the C.P.E. Bach pieces were light and capricious in parts. It was a delight to hear the pieces. One audience members said the music was intriguing and surprising, while the Schubert Sonata was subtle and warm.  Each piece was full of fireworks! It was a wonderful concert and we felt privileged to be there.  The rest of the Portsmouth Chamber Music season includes: Ensemble 360 - 29 January Gould Piano Trio and Robert Plane - 19 March Marmen Quartet - 16 April More details from Portsmouth Guildhall

The University of Portsmouth Choir performs at St Mary's Church this Saturday 2nd December under the direction of conductor Thomas Neal. The choir will be singing Britten's St Nicolas. The piece was written in 1948 for the centennial celebrations of Lancing College in Sussex. The text to was written by Eric Crozier, and it details the life of St Nicolas, his miraculous birth and his journey to become the Bishop of Myra, a pilgrimage destination for Byzantine Christians in Turkey. The University of Portsmouth Choir performs at St Mary’s fresh from their highly successful fundraising concert in March, in which they raised thousands of pounds for local charities, including the St Mary’s Music Foundation. The Solent Symphony, which celebrates their 25th anniversary this year, will once again be accompanying the choir. The tenor part will be sung by Dominic Bevan , a postgraduate diploma student at the Royal College of Music. Choral conductor Thomas Neal is a music teacher at the P...

As appeared in Portsmouth View, October 2017 edition. Portsmouth is home to the arts and this month you can see just what a variety there is for everyone to enjoy. The fifth “Created in Portsmouth” arts and craft trail will take place the weekend of 13- 15 October and will feature a number of exciting local artists showcasing work in their studios. See the work of painter Lizzie Cornelius at her Hotwalls Studio, or Myrtle Clark Bremer at her home on Pelham Road. Popular graffiti artist, My Dog Sighs is exhibiting above the Wedgewood Rooms. Details from their website http://www.createdinportsmouth.co.uk/ Along the way, make a stop at many of the area’s great cafes. There is The Canteen at Hotwalls, Bread Addiction on Elm Grove and Casa de Castro on Albert Road, as well as Hunter Gatherer further along near Highland Road. Every third Wednesday of the month there is a free, drop-in interactive Story Time session at Fort Nelson. Great for the under 5s, the session on Wednesday 18 ...

We welcome a new, temporary exhibition which opens today at Portsmouth Guildhall and is available until 8th January 2018. The exhibition, created by Dave Allen and hosted by the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, marks the 50th anniversary of the so-called ‘Summer of Love’ with a focus on Portsmouth in the late 1960s and the legacy of those interesting times. The familiar histories tell tales of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, swinging London and young people with flowers in their hair and bells round their necks, traveling in their thousands to San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district to join the hippies there. The histories of those times also tell us that after the explosion of colour and new sounds of 1967, the following year’s revolutionary spirit became more political and less peaceful, leading to some terrible events in the immediate aftermath such as Altamont, Manson and Kent State. Dave Allen’s book, Autumn of Love: How the Swinging Sixties & the C...