Portsmouth100's 5,000-voice 'anthem' to be premiered on Guildhall Square's Big Screen
On Shining Waters captures the spirit of the city, its people, maritime heritage and creative energy
Portsmouth voices will come together in a powerful celebration of music, community and civic pride for the premiere of On Shining Waters, a specially commissioned song created to mark the city’s centenary year.
The digital collaboration will be unveiled on the Big Screen in Guildhall Square at 6pm on Wednesday (July 1), showcasing a remarkable city-wide performance that brings together more than 5,000 voices from across generations, communities and cultures.
Created by Portsmouth Music Service, On Shining Waters captures the spirit of the city, its maritime heritage, its people and its vibrant creative energy. Over recent months, choirs from across Portsmouth and beyond have taken part in filming, contributing to a unique large-scale musical collaboration.
The performance features an extraordinary range of participants, including:
- School choirs from across the city;
- Community and amateur choirs;
- Workplace and colleague choirs;
- International choirs from Portsmouth’s twin cities in Duisburg (Germany), Caen (France), and sister city, New Hampshire (USA)
Together, these groups form a global chorus, demonstrating the power of music to connect communities across borders, said Sue Beckett, Head of Portsmouth Music Service.
Sue added: “On Shining Waters is a true celebration of Portsmouth. It brings together voices from every corner of our city and beyond, creating something that belongs to everyone. From young children in our schools to community groups and international partners, this project shows what can happen when a city sings together.”
Premiering the song digitally on the big screen allows each choir to be part of a seamless, professionally produced performance, creating a visual and musical tapestry that reflects Portsmouth’s diversity and creativity. With more than 50 choirs taking part, the premiere promises to be a vibrant and uplifting highlight of the Portsmouth100 celebrations.
Audiences are invited to gather in Guildhall Square to experience the premiere live. The performance will also be live streamed on Facebook and shared online, allowing friends, families and international participants to celebrate alongside Portsmouth.