It has been a real pleasure to see pupils back in the Music Department.. These last two weeks have seen live music return to our community like a wash of colour through a monochrome landscape and it has been a particular joy to hear live music coming out of practice rooms, classrooms and the Rotunda.

We have worked hard to ensure that we are able to start delivering as much of our extra-curricular programme as we can in line with government guidelines. Jazz ensembles have been rehearsing every morning these last two weeks, the Chamber Choir is singing together in smaller consorts of 15 singers, PGS Brass (now two smaller ensembles) started last week and this week we saw our orchestras (in chamber format!) and rock groups beginning.

Our first live lunchtime recital for 6 months was heard in the Rotunda, and whilst not yet performed to an audience, all recitals are being streamed on YouTube with links via our Music Department website.

Over the Summer we were very excited to receive a delivery of three new Kawai upright pianos for our practice rooms and a superb Steinway model A concert grand piano for the Rotunda. We are looking forward to an exciting “opening recital” on this super new instrument when circumstances allow us to invite an audience to listen.

A CD of new music composed by Dr Shahov, our Assistant Director of Music, has just been released and we are excited that it has received 5-star reviews. Based on music from his native Macedonia, this is well worth exploring. There are links to this on this website.

It may be very early to be thinking about Christmas, but we are excited to launch our Christmas Carol composition competition, challenging composers to write a piece for our Chamber Choir to perform. Full details are available on this website.

Our boys and girls who make up the Cathedral choir were singing in the cathedral this week for the first time in 6 months. It was a very moving experience to hear the music return to this building. Links to the recordings of these services are available on the Music Department website. This Wednesday (23 September) Cantate (Portsmouth Cathedral Girls’ Choir) who feature a large number of PGS pupils sang Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3. You can hear them here: BBC RADIO 3

It has been wonderful to meet pupils who are new to the school and we are keen to make links with them and the whole family. Whilst we cannot welcome everyone into the department just yet, we can share some of what happens with you via this website, and we do encourage you to visit this and share the address with your family and friends.

If you have any questions about the Music Department, about our ensembles or about instrumental lessons, please do not hesitate to contact me at school.

All very best wishes

Gareth Hemmings

Director of Music