Portsmouth Choir Sings at Education World Forum

Portsmouth’s Singing Champions Choir was thrilled to be invited to perform at the prestigious Education World Forum (EWF) 2026 in London on 19th May. Singing for an audience filled with international education ministers, policymakers, and leaders, the young singers shared a heartfelt musical message about the importance of youth voice and the potential for young people to drive meaningful change.

The Education World Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers, welcoming representatives from over 100 countries to explore global education policy, innovation, and collaboration.

Sue Beckett, Head of Portsmouth Music Service, said:

“It was an enormous privilege for Portsmouth’s Singing Champions choir to be invited to perform at the Education World Forum in London. The children represented their city with exceptional talent, confidence and joy, and they were a credit to their schools, families and community. Watching them inspire an international audience through music was a truly proud and memorable moment.”

Singing Champions is a city-wide programme aimed at inspiring young people to become passionate vocal ambassadors for their schools. It helps them build confidence and enhance their musical talents while fostering a warm, inclusive culture where singing becomes a cherished part of school life. Through engaging workshops and collaborative performances, as well as singing together,  participants develop not only musical skills but also leadership and teaching skills.

At the Forum, the choir delighted everyone with three original songs created by Portsmouth Music Service’s talented composition team: “A Voice in This World,” “Change Maker,” and “One World.”

Each song beautifully touched on themes of empowerment, unity, and the importance of young voices speaking out about issues that matter deeply to them.

Dr. Fabrizio Trifiró, Programme Director, Education World Forum, praised the performance:

“The Singing Champions brought an energy to the Education World Forum that was nothing short of inspiring. Their performance in front of our visiting international ministers was a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, create, and express themselves with confidence. We were honoured to have them with us, and deeply grateful for the vibrancy and hope they brought to the 2026 Education World Forum – congratulations!”

Vicky Sharpe, Conductor and Music Lead at St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School reflected on the significance of the occasion:

“Taking the Singing Champions choir to the Education World Forum was a truly moving celebration of the music, spirit, and soul of our city. Seven schools came together as one, reflecting the rich diversity of Portsmouth, and performed with extraordinary passion, courage, and pride. I hope that their voices reached far beyond the stage – speaking directly to education ministers from across the world with a powerful and heartfelt message: our young people matter, they must be heard, and they have the strength and vision to create real change.”

The performance was a powerful demonstration of how music education can amplify young voices and foster global understanding.

Portsmouth Music Service is the Lead Organisation for Portsmouth Music Hub, part of the South Coast Music Partnership, which is funded by Arts Council England

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