Youngsters dazzle crowdsat Portsmouth Music Festival

Events have been taking place since early in February, but now The News can begin to reveal some of the winners.

The Rock and Pop section, for Key Stage 3 and 4 contemporary musicians, once again produced a fine selection of bands, instrumentalists and soloists from Portsmouth’s schools and resulted in four Honours Awards being given.

The day started with Key Stage 3 bands and solos, in which Sky Duffy (13), accompanied by Tyler, stunned the adjudicator and audience with a very polished rendition of Someone Like You by Adele.

The adjudicator said: ‘Sky’s performance captured the very essence of the song’ and awarded her the first Honours Award of the day.

The Key Stage 4 bands then followed with a very professional performance of Blank Space by Wait for It, from Warblington School, who were awarded Honours. This was closely challenged by 10-piece band Jukebox, of Cowplain Community School, who were awarded Distinction for their performance of Treasure.

Treasurer Ian Frogley said: ‘The Portsmouth Music Festival is a truly huge celebration of the young dance, acting and musical talent we have in the Portsmouth area.

‘Evie Needham in particular wowed the audience with her own composition, Tea and Sugar, accompanying herself on ukulele. Her rendering of the emotional composition was just so beautiful and gentle.’

Full awards for the Rock and Pop section of the Portsmouth Music Festival are as follows:

KS3 bands/solo - Sky Duffy – Hons – John Gleadall Cup

KS4 bands/solo - Wait For it - Hons

KS4 solo - Evie Needham – Hons – Garrett Shield

KS4 solo - Ehssan Benyahya – Hons

Best Guitarist – Jake Oakman

Best Duo – Ashley and Joe

Best Band – Jukebox

Best Ensemble – 10B