Girls from Portsmouth High School recieved a choral masterclass from Eton College Director of Music, Ralph Allwood last week.

The Senior Choir and Cantabile from the Southsea independent girls’ school received vocal coaching from Mr Allwood, a master at one of the leading boys’ boarding schools in the country .  Mr Allwood is also a choral advisor for Novello and Co., for the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, a judge for the Choir of the Year Competition and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

The workshop took place in the fine acoustics of Portsmouth Cathedral after their tuition the girls performed a recital in the Cathedral to which family and friends were invited.

Angela Blackwell, Director of Music at the School said; “I am hoping the girls will pick up some valuable hints in preparation for when they sing live on BBC Radio 4 in November. The girls will be travelling to Manchester to sing for two programmes for the Daily Service which is broadcast live every morning. It is wonderful for them to be able to work with such a respected musical director and I am sure that it will be superb preparation.

“Our pupils have many opportunities to perform; the girls have recently performed at Goodwood House and our musicians have been heard at Blenheim Palace and the Millennium Centre Cardiff, so live broadcast for the BBC should be something that I’m sure the girls will take in their stride”