Gala Concert

After an absence of three years the Gala Concert was an opportunity for our larger ensembles to perform in the majestic surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral. It was fabulous to see over 200 young musicians performing in 10 different ensembles. Sinfonietta is the first orchestra that our young musicians join. The strings, wind and brass players of this group performed three pieces as sections and then joined together as a full 45 piece orchestra, complete with percussion, in a toe-tapping performance of Havana. The Latin American theme was continued with the debut performance of our percussion ensemble, showcasing our new marimba.

Always a highlight of any PGS Concert, PGS Brass’s powerful performances of Blaze Away, the Light Cavalry Overture and Sweet Caroline did not fail to excite the audience. Concert Band’s performances of Uptown Funk, Defying Gravity, How to Train Your Dragon and encore Happy! continued the high energy feel before the Symphony Orchestra demonstrated superbly controlled energetic playing in a remarkable performance of two movements from Haydn’s London Symphony. Chamber Choir and Community Choir were joined by a jazz trio for a sophisticated performance of Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass.

The concert closed with a world premier performance of year 13 composer, Benedict Blythe’s, ethereal setting of the words for the Requiem Introit. Written in memory of PGS’s much-loved DT technician “Mac” MacDonald, Benedict explored space, texture and timbre in a creative and imaginative setting using 8-part choir, soprano soloist, string octet, synthesiser, organ and electronic soundscape, using the entire space of the cathedral! Whilst reflective and meditative at the outset it finishes with a life affirming climax. Thank you to all the musicians and to the supportive and enthusiastic audience!

Chamber Choir Sing Evensong with Prebendal School

Chamber Choir was delighted to be joined by the Chamber Choir of Prebendal School on Wednesday 16 March to sing Evensong at Portsmouth Cathedral. Year 11 organist, Sam (pictured below) played the opening voluntary. The choirs made an impressive sound in Noble's setting of the canticles in B minor, along with Philip Wilby's anthem, If Ye Love Me and responses by Richard Shephard.

Cathedral Choirs

If you are interested in finding out more about the Cathedral Choir and have a son or daughter who might like to be part of this wonderful group of musicians there is further information here: Portsmouth Cathedral Choir long with links to Dr David Price’s email address (Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers).

PGS Choirs

If you have a son or daughter who enjoys singing there are some fabulous opportunities at school during the day. Boys’ Voices meets every Friday from 1300-1330 with Mr Hemmings singing a wide range of songs in a variety of styles and is made up largely of boys in years 7 & 8. Girls’ Voices also meets on Fridays from 1300-1330, run by Mr Gunga (School Organists and Cathedral Sub-Organist) and is a great opportunity for girls in years 7-8 to develop their singing skills. If you have a son whose voice is changing then there is our Cambiata Voices (Changing Voices) on Tuesdays 1310-1340 with Mr Hemmings, supported by one of our fabulous vocal teachers, and former King’s Singer, Mr David Hurley. We work at singing over this transition period and pick music that suits the ranges of the voices as they change and help with techniques to manage the exciting new voice that emerges.

For singers interested in the fabulous repertoire of contemporary a cappella singing there is our Close Harmony group run by Mr Cotton on Friday from 1320-1350, open to voices in year 10-13. Our Chamber Choir is our only auditioned group and is open to Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass voices in years 9-13. We rehearse on Wednesdays from 1350-1700 with Mr Hemmings.

Our full list of ensembles can be found here: Rehearsal Schedule Spring 2022

Community Choir

If you are a parent or have friends who enjoy singing we run a Community Choir on Tuesday evenings from 1900-2030 in the Music Department and all are welcome. Please contact g.hemmings@pgs.org.uk for more information.

Please do contact us in the Music Department if you have any questions about any of our vocal groups.

Courage and Creativity

We have been celebrating musical creativity this January. Some of our GCSE composers have been working on exciting recordings of new pieces for Brass Quintet which can be seen and heard below:

Our jazz musicians have been hard at work refining their improvisation skills and ensemble playing in preparation for the fabulous workshop we had with the Kate Williams Trio. Our jazzers really rose to the musical challenges thrown their way and there was some exciting improvising and high level musical communication happening! A recording of the Live Stream concert can be seen below