NEWS
The Ticking Clock finalist for National Music and Drama Education Award
Portsmouth Music Service’s internationally award-winning initiative, The Ticking Clock, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the National Music and Drama Education Awards 2027 for Outstanding Musical Initiative.
The project brings together music, dance, creativity and youth voice to explore climate change, giving children and young people in Portsmouth the opportunity to express their concerns, share their hopes and inspire conversations about the future of our planet.
Through original songs and creative activities, The Ticking Clock has helped hundreds of children and young people engage with environmental issues, encouraging them to think about the impact of climate change and the positive changes they can make.
The latest recognition highlights the importance of listening to young people and ensuring their voices are heard. Their ideas and messages are now reaching audiences far beyond Portsmouth, putting the city’s young people at the heart of an important global conversation.
Being named a finalist is a fantastic achievement and follows the initiative’s previous international recognition, celebrating the creativity, passion and commitment of everyone involved.
A huge thank you and well done to all the schools, children, young people, artists and partners who have helped bring The Ticking Clock to life!
45 Lion Trail sculptures reunited for special display at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
After nine weeks of exploring Portsmouth, all 45 of the city’s colourful Lion Trail sculptures have been reunited for a special display at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Thousands of Portsmouth residents and visitors took part in the Lion Trail over the summer, following the trail across the city in search of 45 unique lion sculptures, alongside a roaming unicorn.
The sculptures, each individually designed and decorated, have become a familiar sight across Portsmouth over the past nine weeks, encouraging families, residents and visitors to discover different parts of the city.
Before the lions head off to their next destinations, all 45 sculptures will come together once again at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, giving people one final opportunity to see the full collection in one place.
The Lion Trail also brought music to the project, with the Lion Choir performing ‘Follow the Trail’, a brand new song created especially for the trail by Portsmouth Music Service.
The Lion Choir performed the song for the first time at the official Lion Trail launch at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery in July, helping to get the trail off to a musical start.
The Lion Trail has provided a fantastic opportunity for people to explore Portsmouth, discover new places and enjoy a unique collection of public art across the city. The final gathering of the lions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard marks the end of their Portsmouth adventure before the sculptures move on to their next destinations.
Young Readers Discover Rhythm and Storytelling at Southsea Castle
Children and families enjoyed an inspiring day of music, storytelling and creativity at Southsea Castle as Portsmouth Music Service joined forces with Portsmouth Library Service for a morning of lively drumming workshops as part of this year's Read to the Beat celebrations.
Led by the talented Emma, participants explored the traditional Nigerian folk tale The King's Magic Drum, a story about a greedy tortoise who steals a magical drum but ultimately loses everything after ignoring its warnings. Through interactive storytelling and energetic drumming activities, children brought the tale to life while discovering how music can enrich reading and imagination.
The workshops formed part of a wider programme celebrating reading, creativity and cultural storytelling, encouraging young people to engage with books in exciting and memorable ways.
"It was wonderful to see so many children engaging with storytelling through rhythm and music. The King's Magic Drum provided the perfect opportunity to explore another culture's folk traditions while encouraging creativity, participation and a love of reading…”
Sue Beckett – Head of Portsmouth Music Service
The event highlights the ongoing partnership between Portsmouth Music Service and Portsmouth Library Service in creating engaging opportunities for children to discover the connections between music, literacy and learning.
It wasn’t just Portsmouth’s children who joined in with the drumming, some four-legged visitors also had ago.
An international award recognising Portsmouth Music Service's environmental excellence
Portsmouth Music Service has been recognised for its outstanding environmental achievement in the 2026 International Green Apple Environment Awards with its 'Ticking Clock Initiative' involving hundreds of children and young people from Portsmouth.
Selected from more than 700 entries worldwide, Portsmouth Music Service has been recognised among this year's leading examples of environmental best practice and will be celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony in the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London.
The Green Apple Awards recognise organisations that are making a significant contribution to environmental improvement through innovation, commitment and measurable action, which places Portsmouth Music Service among the top organisations in the UK, demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability and raising awareness of the need for each of us to take action to improve the environmental future for our young people and generations to come.
The Ticking Clock is a dynamic music initiative building on the Music Service's ongoing drive to raise awareness of environmental concerns through music and the arts. It engages children and young people in serious conversations about climate change, sustainability, and protecting the planet through creative activity giving them a creative platform to express and share their concerns.
The initiative was jointly funded by Portsmouth Music Service and Arts Council England as part of the South Coast Music Partnership.
Alongside Chris Packham's 'The People's Emergency Briefing', this is the response and message created, shaped and shared by Portsmouth's young people, enabling others to understand the impact of climate change on everyone's future and the urgent need for carbon reduction.
Hundreds of young voices celebrate Portsmouth's centenary at Portsmouth Guildhall
More than 500 children and young people from schools across Portsmouth came together at Portsmouth Guildhall for a spectacular evening of music celebrating the city's 100th birthday.
The Portsmouth Music Hub showcase, presented as part of Portsmouth100, featured a collection of original songs inspired by the people, places and stories that have shaped Portsmouth over the past century. Performed to a packed Guildhall, the concert culminated in a standing ovation as hundreds of young voices united for a powerful finale.
Every song in the showcase was specially composed by Portsmouth Music Service's award-winning composition team, with several composers in attendance alongside civic dignitaries, representatives from Arts Council England and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth.
The showcase took the audience on a musical journey through Portsmouth's history and heritage. The Writer with the Magic Touch celebrated Portsmouth-born author Charles Dickens, while Brunel Boogie paid tribute to engineering pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was also born in the city.
Heroes of the Mary Rose, honouring the divers who help salvage the Ship from the Solent and a song telling the tale about the city's iconic Guildhall Clock, and the eerie creatures that live inside.
Portsmouth's vibrant and diverse communities were celebrated through City of Languages, performed by pupils from Solent Junior School. The uplifting performance reflected the many cultures, languages and communities that make Portsmouth such a unique place to live, learn and grow.
The concert concluded with On Shining Waters, the official anthem commissioned for Portsmouth100. As hundreds of young singers filled the Guildhall with music, the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation celebrating not only Portsmouth's rich past, but also the bright future being shaped by its young people.
Sue Beckett, Head of Portsmouth Music Service, said:
"Portsmouth has so many remarkable stories to tell, and music is such a powerful way of bringing those stories to life. This concert celebrated everything that makes our city special – its history, heritage, diversity and community spirit.
Seeing more than 500 children and young people performing together was truly inspiring. Events like this show the incredible impact that music can have in bringing schools and communities together, while giving young people unforgettable opportunities to perform on one of the city's biggest stages."
The showcase formed part of Portsmouth100, the city's year-long programme celebrating 100 years of city status, and highlighted Portsmouth Music Service's ongoing commitment to providing inspiring musical opportunities for every child and young person across Portsmouth.
Portsmouth's voices unite in On Shining Waters music video celebrating the city's 100th birthday
More than 50 choirs and community groups from across Portsmouth have come together to create On Shining Waters, a powerful new music video celebrating the city's 100th birthday.
Commissioned as part of Portsmouth 100, the project brings together thousands of singers of all ages and backgrounds in a moving tribute to the city they call home. From school choirs and community ensembles to workplace groups and signing choirs, On Shining Waters celebrates the spirit, diversity and pride of Portsmouth through music.
Filmed at locations across Portsmouth and beyond, the video showcases the city's people, places and shared sense of community. It also features choirs and schools from Portsmouth's twin and sister cities around the world, reflecting the city's international friendships as part of this landmark celebration.
Specially composed by Emily Barden, On Shining Waters was brought to life by Portsmouth Music Service over several months of planning and filming. The team visited schools, community venues and rehearsal spaces across the city to capture performances from hundreds of participants, creating a lasting musical legacy for Portsmouth's centenary year.
The music video received its premiere in Guildhall Square on 1 July, where many of the participating choirs and groups came together to celebrate the culmination of the project. The premiere marked a fitting moment in the Portsmouth 100 programme, bringing performers, families and the wider community together to experience the finished film for the first time.
On Shining Waters is now available to watch online and forms part of the wider Portsmouth 100 celebrations, marking 100 years since Portsmouth was granted city status.
The project features performances from:
Schools –
Collège Jean Moulin
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School
Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery
Court Lane Junior Academy
Gatcombe Park Primary School
Highbury Primary School
King's Academy College Park
Langstone Primary Academy
Manor Infant and Nursery School
Mary Rose Academy
New Horizons Primary School
Portsmouth High School
Redwood Park Academy
Solent Infant School
Solent Junior School
Southsea Infant School
St Edmund's Catholic School
St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School
St Jude's C of E Primary School
St Paul's Catholic Primary School
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School
Westover Primary School
Choirs –
Community Sing
Cosham Community Choir
Cultural Collective Choir
Emily Barden
Ensemble Concert Audience
Fine Voice Choir
Gemma Cake
Groundlings Community Choir
Headway Portsmouth Choir
Jugendchor Bahtalo
Military Wives Choir
Milton Glee
Music Coordinators
Phoenix Players
Portsmouth Choral Union
Portsmouth Councillors
Portsmouth Music Hub Board
Portsmouth Music Service
Resonate
Shaping Portsmouth Choir
Signing Choir
Singing Champions Choir
Song Waves
Southsea Community Choir
St Paul's Church Choir
St Paul's Community Choir
TADAA
The Children's Bubbles Fund Choir
The Young Creatives
The Ticking Clock at the Kings Theatre
On 9 July 2026, Portsmouth’s Kings Theatre was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, collaboration, and climate action as The Ticking Clock, a brand new initiative from Portsmouth Music Hub, took to the stage.
Bringing together children and young people from across the city, the event used music, performance, film, and discussion to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today: the climate crisis. Through a powerful blend of artistic expression and youth voice, the evening highlighted both the urgency of environmental issues and the vital role young people play in shaping a more sustainable future.
The Ticking Clock is a brand-new creative programme designed to raise awareness about environmental issues through the arts. Combining 6 original songs, live performances, and educational resources, the initiative encourages young people to engage with topics such as climate change, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in meaningful and accessible ways.
The evening’s programme reflected the diversity and creativity of those involved. Live doodling from Seekers Create captured the atmosphere of the event in real time, visually bringing the evening to life.
A key highlight of the evening was a youth-led discussion panel hosted by Councillor Suzy Horton. The panel provided a platform for young people to share their experiences of the project, their concerns about the environment, and their hopes for the future. Their honesty, insight, and passion resonated strongly with the audience, reinforcing the importance of listening to and amplifying youth voices.
Audience engagement was central to the event, demonstrated through an interactive rap composition by Ricky Tart. Drawing on environmental challenges and solutions submitted by the audience prior to the performance, Ricky created a live piece that was both impactful and energising, showcasing how creativity can be used as a tool for reflection and change.
The evening also featured a special video message from environmental advocate Aneeshwar Kunchala, whose words inspired and encouraged young people to continue using their voices to drive positive change. This was followed by a powerful presentation from Olivia Dixon, who spoke about the importance of youth voice and outlined practical actions young people can take to support the planet, both individually and collectively.
A major milestone for the project was marked with the premiere of The Ticking Clock documentary. The film offered a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of the initiative, from its early development stages through to workshops and final performance, celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and commitment of all those involved.
Throughout the evening, a strong sense of community and shared purpose was evident. The event not only showcased the talents of Portsmouth’s young people, but also demonstrated the power of the arts as a platform for education, expression, and advocacy.
“The Ticking Clock is about empowering young people to explore environmental issues through creativity and to feel confident in sharing their voices. What we saw on stage last night was truly inspiring, a generation that is engaged, informed, and ready to make a difference.” Sue Beckett – Head of Portsmouth Music Service
As the project continues to develop, The Ticking Clock will expand its reach through schools and community settings, providing resources and opportunities for more young people to get involved. The initiative forms part of Portsmouth Music Hub’s wider commitment to using music and the arts to support learning, wellbeing, and social awareness.
Last night’s event marked not just a performance, but the beginning of an ongoing conversation, one led by young people, driven by creativity, and focused on building a more sustainable future for all.
Portsmouth Music Hub’s Singing Champions Inspire Global Audience at the Education World Forum 2026
Portsmouth Music Hub is proud to celebrate the outstanding performance of its Singing Champions at the prestigious Education World Forum (EWF) 2026 in London on 19 May. Performing in front of an audience of international education ministers, policymakers and leaders, the young singers delivered a powerful musical message centred on the importance of youth voice and the potential for young people to drive meaningful change.
The Education World Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers, bringing together representatives from over 100 countries to discuss global education policy, innovation, and collaboration. The event provides a unique platform for sharing ideas and highlighting impactful educational initiatives from across the world.
Sue Beckett, CEO of Portsmouth Music Hub and Head of Portsmouth Music Service, added:
“It was an enormous privilege for Portsmouth’s Singing Champions choir to be invited to perform at the Education World Forum in London. The children represented their city with exceptional talent, confidence and joy, and they were a credit to their schools, families and community. Watching them inspire an international audience through music was a truly proud and memorable moment.”
The Singing Champions programme is a city-wide initiative from Portsmouth Music Hub that empowers young people to become vocal ambassadors for their schools, building confidence and musical ability, and creating a culture where singing is at the heart of school life. Singing Champions develop their singing, leadership and teaching skills through workshops and collaborative performances, as well as singing together as part of a flagship choir.
At the Forum, the choir performed three original songs composed by Portsmouth Music Service: A Voice in This World, Change Maker, and One World. Each piece explored themes of empowerment, unity and the value of young people speaking up on issues that matter to them. The performance resonated deeply with the Forum’s international audience, offering an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of music and youth engagement.
Dr. Fabrizio Trifiró, Programme Director, Education World Forum, praised the performance:
“The Singing Champions brought an energy to the Education World Forum that was nothing short of inspiring. Their performance in front of our visiting international ministers was a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, create, and express themselves with confidence. We were honoured to have them with us, and deeply grateful for the vibrancy and hope they brought to the 2026 Education World Forum – congratulations!”
Vicky Sharpe, Conductor at Portsmouth Music Service, reflected on the significance of the occasion:
“Taking the Singing Champions choir to the Education World Forum was a truly moving celebration of the music, spirit, and soul of our city. Seven schools came together as one, reflecting the rich diversity of Portsmouth, and performed with extraordinary passion, courage, and pride. Every note carried meaning, every voice told a story. I hope that their voices reached far beyond the stage - speaking directly to education ministers from across the world with a powerful and heartfelt message: our young people matter, they must be heard, and they have the strength and vision to create real change. In that moment, they didn’t just perform - they inspired, they challenged, and they proved that their voices can shape the future.”
The performance was a powerful demonstration of how music education can amplify young voices and foster global understanding. Portsmouth Music Hub remains committed to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality musical opportunities that enable them to express themselves, connect with others, and shape the future.
Portsmouth Music Service is the Lead Organisation for Portsmouth Music Hub, part of the South Coast Music Partnership, which receives funding from Arts Council England