Music in Portsmouth

12/01/2025

Don’t miss the Marmen Quartet at the Portsmouth Chamber Music Series on 20 January at Portsmouth Guildhall. Renowned for their 2018 performance, they return with a dynamic programme: Beethoven’s dramatic Op. 95 in F minor, Mozart’s iconic ‘Dissonance’ quartet, Bartók’s energetic 3rd quartet, and a fresh composition by New Zealand’s Salina Fisher. Experience an unforgettable evening of contrasting and captivating works performed by one of the most exciting string quartets today. https://musicinportsmouth.co.uk/preview-portsmouth-chamber-music-series-marmen-quartet

05/01/2025

A special New Year showcase to celebrate the restoration of historic Edes House.

Singer Louise Russell is masterminding a special showcase for professional and semi-professional singers and musicians associated with Chichester. It will take place on January 17 in Edes House to celebrate the building’s restoration.



https://musicinportsmouth.co.uk/event/a-concert-to-celebrate-the-restoration-of-historic-edes-house

01/01/2025

What's on in the first half of January 2025 - https://mailchi.mp/d22571ac8a7c/mip-2025-january-1st-half

31/12/2024

Cathedral choirs: a tradition under threat?

In The Times, Richard Morrison explores the challenges facing cathedral choirs, from financial pressures to calls for reform. Are these "glories of British musical life" at risk?

David Price, Portsmouth Cathedral’s Master of Choristers, highlights their vital role: leading worship, preserving excellence, and inspiring new generations. Efforts like Portsmouth’s Sing Joyfully campaign and Chichester’s Platinum Endowment Trust aim to secure these traditions for the future.

Support your local cathedral choir to help sustain this unique cultural heritage.

🔗 Learn more and donate:
Portsmouth: https://campaign.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/sing-joyfully
Chichester: https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/support-us/make-donation/chichester-cathedral-platinum-endowment-trust-music

https://musicinportsmouth.co.uk/support-your-local-cathedral-choir

30/12/2024

Experience the magic of live chamber music! 🎶

Join the Rotherhurst Ensemble on Saturday, January 18 at 3 PM at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield for a concert supporting Naomi House Hospice.

Programme highlights:
🎹 Schumann Piano Quintet in E-flat – A masterpiece of lyricism.
🎻 Scène Andalouse by Turina – A vibrant blend of Spanish folk and North African rhythms.
🎼 Phantasy for Piano Quartet by Frank Bridge – A nostalgic gem in one movement.

All proceeds go to this vital local children’s hospice. Let’s make music matter!

https://musicinportsmouth.co.uk/preview-graham-bint-on-the-rotherhurst-ensemble-charity-concert

22/12/2024

19/12/2024

Dietrich Buxtehude, Venice Capella Ducale, Cologne Musica Fiata, Roland Wilson · Buxtehude: Lubecker Abendmusik (Eine) · Song · 2007

19/12/2024

📣 Exciting news! 📣

To end a momentous year of festivities under the banner of , marking the Cathedral’s 950th anniversary in 2025, visitors are invited to experience an immersive light and sound installation by the internationally acclaimed artistic collaboration Luxmuralis. 💫

The experience will illuminate the Cathedral from 24th – 31st October 2025 and will feature 30,000 images from our archive, weaving together centuries of history into a stunning display.

Find out more: https://loom.ly/6iDat9g

Diocese of Chichester

19/12/2024

Thank you Castle Primary School Choir for your wonderful singing - we loved listening to you and singing with you!
Our reviewer David Oldfield said this:

'I spent a career as a school music teacher and a specialist trainer of young voices – particularly in church choirs and on RSCM Courses. My passion is to encourage young singers which is what Andrew Jackson undoubtedly does (and by inviting them to join PCU in evenings such as this, so does David Gostick).

Anyway, back to the plot. I had high tailed to St Mary’s from St Michael’s, Paulsgrove, where I had the new Church Choir of youngsters for the first time. Was it worth coming down to Fratton for another Christmas extravaganza? Of course it was!

The soloist for Once in Royal was sublime but the joy and enthusiasm of their performance lifted everything that Castle Primary School Choir sang to a different level.'

Congratulations Castle Primary School Choir and Andrew Jackson, you were superb!

19/12/2024

🎶 Handel’s Messiah: A Timeless Masterpiece! 🎼

Join the Chichester Singers for an unforgettable performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’—a work of breathtaking beauty and history to match!

📅 When: Saturday, 18th January 2025, at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Chichester Cathedral
🎟 Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-chichester-singers

DID YOU KNOW? Handel composed the ENTIRE 'Messiah' in just 24 DAYS during the summer of 1741. Spanning over 260 pages, this monumental feat is a testament to his genius and passion.

Don’t miss the chance to experience this iconic masterpiece live!

19/12/2024

Entries have now opened for the 2025 Festival of Chichester – with a new website making the process easier than ever.

19/12/2024

19/12/2024

A little more of David Oldfields review of the PCU Christmas Carols and Music concert for you to enjoy!

'I have never been disappointed by a performance by PCU and this was no exception. The beauty and clarity of tone of the ladies, especially the Sopranos, was such a delight – you must have heard other choirs which have made you cringe? Should I have said that? Too late, I have! The gentlemen, likewise, sounded musical. Surely a result of benign bullying by David?

I love the Mack Wilberg, Ding D**g Merrily but Ian cheated, as do I. The original has an interesting pedal solo which didn’t quite reach the popular published version. I was particularly taken by Ian Schofield’s carols.

As always, special thanks should always go to the musical team, especially David Gostick and Andrew Jackson but also to Ian Richardson and the person who probably worked harder than anyone, Sue Graham Smith.

Happy Christmas, everyone, and here’s to the rest of the season in 2025.'

17/12/2024

Meet Joel Fernandez, tenor at Portsmouth Cathedral Choir

Joel Fernandez, a talented postgraduate tenor, is the choral scholar at Portsmouth Cathedral. Singing six weekly services, Joel hones his craft in a demanding, fast-paced environment, balancing choral precision with vocal endurance. Formerly at Jesus College Choir, Oxford, Joel’s love for music began as a treble at Exeter Cathedral. Inspired by mentors, he’s now exploring a career in singing, with aspirations for Conservatoire training. Passionate about German lieder and Britten, Joel embraces challenges, from live performances to quirky gigs. For Joel, success lies in moving audiences emotionally—he aims to inspire, whether in choral music or as a soloist. https://musicinportsmouth.co.uk/profile-joel-fernandez-tenor-and-portsmouth-cathedral-choir/

17/12/2024

What's on in the second half of December 2024 - https://mailchi.mp/e382969cdb87/mip-2024-december-2nd-half

12/12/2024

🎶 Handel’s 'Messiah': A Musical Masterpiece Awaits! 🎶

Join The Chichester Singers for a breathtaking evening of music at the stunning Chichester Cathedral!
This iconic performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ will feature an incredible lineup of soloists:
🌟 Daisy Livesey - Soprano
🌟 Johan Ulfsparre - Counter-tenor
🌟 Owen Lucas - Tenor
🌟 Daniel Vening - Bass

Accompanied by the Southern Pro Musica and conducted by the brilliant Jonathan Willcocks, this promises to be an unforgettable celebration of one of the greatest choral works ever written.

🗓 When: Saturday, 18th January 2025, at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Chichester Cathedral
🎟 Tickets: £10 to £30 (Students: £5)

Tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss your chance to experience this powerful and moving performance.

🎟 Book here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-chichester-singers
Or visit The Novium (Tower Street, Chichester), or call 01243 816525.

📢 Spread the word, and we’ll see you there!