Portsmouth Public Schools Performing Arts

08/28/2026

Happy Holidays in August! First stop: new instruments for William E. Waters Middle School Band! Thank you Portsmouth Public Schools for your investment in the arts!

08/28/2026

Porte Towne Magic! Auditions are here!

We are looking for high school students ready to bring their talent, creativity, and energy to Show Choir, Steel Pans, and Pop Strings.

Auditions will be held Wednesday, September 9, from 3:00–5:00 PM at Churchland High School. All high school students are welcome.

Norcom and Manor students may ride the Academy Bus to Churchland directly after school. Parent pickup is required after auditions for all students.

Scan the QR code to sign up and join the magic of PTM!!

Google Form Sign- Up: https://forms.gle/he8f2VSfqAXkfYzMA

08/24/2026

07/13/2026

Portsmouth, mark your calendars‼️

Symphony on the River is coming to the Portsmouth Pavilion on Friday, September 18 at 7:30 PM for a free community concert with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. This is a chance to gather with family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy live symphonic music in one of the most scenic spaces in our city.

Come experience the music, the waterfront, and the kind of community event that makes Portsmouth special!

Portsmouth Pavilion
16 Crawford Cir, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Register here:
https://tickets.virginiasymphony.org/symphonyontheriver/portsmouth

Physical tickets will also be available in common community spaces beginning July 16, including Sunset Thursdays and the Olde Towne Farmers Market.

05/23/2026

Porte Towne Magic! Steel Pans, Umoja Festival 2026

05/22/2026

05/18/2026

Join us for the PPS Middle School Dance Program Spring Concert, Lights, Camera, Action!: Music, Movies, and Television, on Wednesday, May 20 at Churchland Middle School!

This exciting evening will feature student performers from Churchland Middle School, Cradock Middle School, and Waters Middle School as they showcase their talent, creativity, hard work, and even student choreography. It has been an incredible year for our dance students, and this concert is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all they have accomplished.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Show begins at 6:15 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Come out and support our dance students and the performing arts in Portsmouth Public Schools!

05/15/2026

Wednesday's Strings Impact concert at Simonsdale Elementary School was a meaningful celebration of student growth, collaboration, and the continued expansion of strings education in Portsmouth Public Schools.

Through Arts for Learning, Strings Impact is providing after-school strings instruction at three of our elementary schools, helping introduce more students to instrumental music and building a strong foundation early. It was especially inspiring to see students joined by William E. Waters Middle School and Manor High School orchestra students, showing the power of connection, mentorship, and a full pathway for young musicians.

Experiences like this remind us that when students are given access and opportunity, the results are powerful. We are proud of all of the students who performed and grateful for the partnerships that continue to strengthen arts education across Portsmouth.

MusicEducation SupportTheArts

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Janelle Jones, dance teacher at Churchland High School, on being recognized during the Portsmouth State of the City for her outstanding work and impact.

From a Portsmouth Public Schools Performing Arts lens, this recognition speaks to the power of dedicated arts educators who do far more than teach technique. Ms. Jones helps students build confidence, discipline, creativity, leadership, and pride through dance. Her work reminds us that the performing arts are not just programs in our schools; they are pathways for expression, excellence, and opportunity.

From a community lens, her impact extends beyond the classroom and stage. She represents the talent, commitment, and heart that exist within Portsmouth Public Schools and throughout our city. When our educators pour into students, they help shape the culture, identity, and future of Portsmouth.

We are proud to celebrate Ms. Janelle Jones and the continued impact of dance, arts education, and creative leadership in Portsmouth!