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2 May 2019
Portsmouth High School’s music scholars and leavers, aged from 11-18, delighted an audience of governors, parents and staff with a concert held at The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth. In the impressive Senior School’s ensemble, Cantabile performed Shallow from the film A Star is Born with some of the girls performing for the last time with the school.
‘This was a really moving evening for me,’ said Millie Ansell, 18. ‘I have performed as a music scholar since Year 7 and it is a significant end to an era. I am hoping to read History and History of Art at York University but am a chorister at Portsmouth Cathedral so will be returning to the city and hope to come back to perform at Portsmouth High School after I have left.’
Millie sang Après un rêve by Gabriel Fauré amongst the other girls who performed in candlelight within this unique setting. They played and sung pieces from Bach, Ravel and Handel to Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The Square Tower was built in 1494 during the reign of Henry VII and was the residence of the military governor. During the English Civil War 1642-1649 the Square Tower was used as an arsenal and contained large amounts of gunpowder and munitions.
‘It is remarkable to see how much progress our music scholars make in a year due to their hard work and dedication,’ said Mr George Tinsley, Director of Music at Portsmouth High School. ‘Each of the musicians in tonight’s concert demonstrated high achievements in technique and musicality and should be proud of their accomplishments.’
