As part of our involvement with the Boat Project, Portsmouth Festivities will be creating a massed  community choir made up of local people from singing groups in the city and from the surrounding area.

To celebrate the boat’s arrival at Gunwharf Quays on the afternoon of Saturday 23 June 2012, Portsmouth Festivities wish to create a massed 400+ community choir of local singers from different choirs and singing groups in the city and right across the surrounding area. We hope that this attracts not only established choral and singing groups but also local schools and community groups keen to add their voices to this fantastic project!

International award-winning a cappella group, VOCES8, who gave a highly memorable concert at last year’s Festivities, will lead workshops with choirs and community groups in Portsmouth and the surrounding area before all the groups join together to create a sea of sound to welcome the boat as it comes in to dock. We are working in partnership with Sam Gladstone, the new Director of Music at The Portsmouth Grammar School, to deliver this fantastic event.

 If you have any further questions or want to get involved, please do not hesitate to get in touch by calling (02392) 681 390 or emailing festivities@pgs.org.uk.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

As a warm up to the Olympics, US composer Stephen Montague has written a brand new piece of music designed to explore research that suggests classical music may enhance athletic performance. As a lead up to the Olympics, Portsmouth Festivities will be offering a free, fun physical workout for the whole family with great live music from leading musicians Ensemble 360. A rare concert will follow in the evening with a chance to hear Andre Caplet’s effervescent Quintet, pieces featured at the 1936 and 1984 Olympic Games and a new work by Stephen Montague.

Sailing pioneer, World Sailor of the Year, and an inspiration to thousands of sailors around the world, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was the first person to sail single handed and non-stop around the world between June 1968 and April 1969. He has had an illustrious career winning numerous races and this evening he will entertain with tales of his life and adventures.

Sponsored by Lewmar

An a cappella showcase of repertoire from across the ages, inspired by the Earth’s cosmic surroundings. From sightings of Halley’s Comet to the Cold War, this thrilling show will send the audience into orbit. Greeted to acclaim around the world, VOCES8 has established itself at the forefront of British a cappella performing repertoire, ranging from early polyphony to unique jazz and pop arrangements.

Gibbons – O Clap Your Hands
Palestrina – Magnificat Primi Toni
Monteverdi – Cantate Domino
Gershwin – I Got Rhythm
Blackwell – Fever
East – Hence Stars
Nicolson – Sing Shepherds All
Bennet – All Creatures Now
JS Bach – Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226
Arr Clements – James Bond medley
Morley – Hard by the Crystal Fountain
Weekles – As Vesta Was
Jolson – Me and My Shadow
Gershwin – Slap That Bass

‘The slickest of the lot…two parts King’s Singers, three parts Swingle Singers, a dash of Bobby McFerrinn and California sunshine…’
BBC Radio 3

Sponsored by Chemring

Take a rollercoaster ride through the vastness of space and, discover the mysteries of physics, science and the universe with

George. George and the Big Bang is the latest in Lucy and Stephen Hawking’s out of this world adventures transporting children through the universe! Stephen Hawking is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein. His daughter Lucy is also a celebrated writer and one of the most sought after science speakers to children in the world.

Double winners at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Duo and Best Original Song, England’s finest and most popular roots duo – who have headlined at festivals from WOMAD to Glastonbury – perform their inimitable music which crosses from folk roots into blues, rock, country, trad and world. Played out on an array of instruments from slide guitar to South American cuatro this is a whole world in one gig.

‘this is a band performing at its passionate peak’
The Independent

‘intelligent, compelling and imaginative…full of expert musicianship’
The Daily Telegraph

The Boat Project is a living archive of people’s stories, a 30ft seafaring vessel made from donated wooden items.  Earlier this year, people from across Portsmouth donated wooden belongings to the project – a huge variety of material from HMS Warrior to beach coming to war widows’ memories.  The boat sets sail from Brighton to be welcomed in Gunwharf Quays for the beginning of Portsmouth Festivities and will be at the heart of our Festivities’ celebrations until 1 July 2012.

More information on The Boat Project can be found at the project’s website.