Singing without limits

Portsmouth High School’s music scholars and leavers, aged from 11-18,  took to the web in the school’s first ever live, online concert.

Portsmouth High School usually perform annually at The Square Tower in Old Portsmouth so this was a new experience for its young musicians and audience. On 29th March, the delighted audience of governors, parents and staff were performed to in their own homes by an impressive array of some of the school’s finest musicians. They sang and played a range of music from Beethoven to Rachmaninoff and from Jazz to Broadway. The audience was broadcast on Microsoft Teams so the audience could send in messages of support throughout the event.

Director of Music at Portsmouth High School, Mr Tinsley said:

‘There was a palpable sense of community throughout the evening. Families sat together on their sofas at home listening, clapping, and sending in messages. Other guests cooked dinner with the concert playing in the background, radio-style. We had visitors from as far away as Zimbabwe joining us to hear their relatives perform. Some pupils were accompanied by their sister or father, while other family members adjusted lighting levels and camera angles.

Because space was unlimited, far more people were able to hear the concert this year than ever before. Sharing such great talent and enthusiasm with a wider audience has certainly been a positive aspect of unusual circumstances. It will be wonderful to make music together again in the same room soon, but until then, great things are still happening at Portsmouth High School.’

A Year 4 pupil, Harriet Thomson, added:

‘It was such a privilege to watch an amazing concert from home. I am so inspired by the girls at my school.’

Like all of the GDST schools, Portsmouth High are adapting to guided home learning and this concert is another example of learning – and singing – without limits.