Candlelit concert for Portsmouth High School Scholars and Leavers

On the 26th April, Portsmouth High School’s music scholars and leavers, aged from 11-18, delighted an audience of alumnae, governors, parents and staff with a concert held at The Square Tower.

As the sun went down in Old Portsmouth, the girls performed in candlelight within this unique setting, playing and singing pieces from If I Loved You from Carousel by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II to Concerto No 2 in D major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The Square Tower was built in 1494 during the reign of Henry VII and was the residence of the military governor. During the English Civil War 1642-1649 the Square Tower was used as an arsenal and contained large amounts of gunpowder and munitions.

One parent enthused, ‘The standard of music was superb and I absolutely loved Song of the Universal by Ola Gjeilo.’ This optimistic and exuberant piece was portrayed beautifully by the senior singing group, Cantabile, and formed the stunning finale to a thrilled audience.

‘I was delighted with the finesse of each performance,’ said Mr George Tinsley, Director of Music at Portsmouth High School. ‘This concert allows our finest musicians to demonstrate their ability and the skills that they have developed during their time at the school.  The older pupils showed their usual poise and technical agility, and it was particularly encouraging to hear such a high standard of musicianship from the younger performers.’