Rachel Portman OBE

West Sussex Music Patron

West Sussex Music is thrilled to welcome Rachel Portman to become our Patron. Rachel’s extraordinary achievements, alongside her deep belief in the importance of music education and young people making music together, make her a hugely inspiring figure for young people, teachers and wider community.

Born in West Sussex, Rachel began composing at the age of 14 and read music at the University of Oxford, where she became interested in writing music for student films and theatre productions.

Rachel became the first female composer to win an Academy Award, which she received for the score of Emma and the first female composer to win an Emmy Award, which she received for the film Bessie.

In 2023 she received her second Emmy for Julia. She has received two further Academy Nominations for The Cider House Rules and Chocolat, which also earned her a Golden Globe Nomination. She has scored over one hundred films!

Given an OBE in 2010, Rachel is an honorary fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Music.

In 2026 she became patron to West Sussex Music, following a project spearheaded by the charity that involved one of her compositions – The Water Diviner’s Tale.

Q&A with Rachel

We wanted to know a bit more about Rachel, so asked her the following questions – the answers make for some inspirational reading!

What inspired you to accept the role of patron for our charity?

I was extremely impressed by the concert in March where the youth orchestra, youth choir and school choirs performed The Water Diviner’s Tale. The dedication and enthusiasm of the team who made it happen was very inspiring. The performance itself was wonderful and I was moved to hear so many young people making music together so beautifully.

Which aspects of our mission resonate most with you?

It’s so important for young people to come together to make music. There is less and less music taught in schools and WSM’s mission is vital to fill this gap.

What do you hope to help us achieve during your time as patron?

I hope to help encourage young musicians in their own musical journeys, whether to take up singing or playing an instrument, to go on to study music at a higher level, or simply to take part and make music with their peers.

Why is it important to you to support young people in music?

Coming together to make music gives young people so much and sadly it’s no longer a part of most school children’s curriculum.

What inspired your musical career?

My mum discovered I was musical when I was small and she encouraged me by finding me music teachers , and took me to local concerts whenever she could. I quickly found I loved playing the piano and I would make up songs taken from the tv and play them to my friends.

What advice would you give to young musicians?

Find a place where you can join in with other musicians whether it’s singing or playing. Try and find other young musicians to play with and play for people.

Who is your musical inspiration?

My biggest musical inspiration is JS Bach, but there have been many inspirations over the years. Nature is also a big inspiration for me.

The Water Diviner's Tale

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