Howard Goodall was appointed to the role of the Singing Ambassador in January 2007 by DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) and has since been working hard (despite the role being an honorary one) with the government and the Music Manifesto on the development of the National Singing Programme. 

Howard was a choral scholar, and is passionate about ensuring that all children have the opportunity to sing every day throughout their childhood. Prior to his appointment he chaired the Singing Workstream which was led by Youth Music. The Singing Workstream researched and developed the recommendations for the development and sustabilability of singing for children and young people which appear in the Music Manifesto Report No.2. This research resulted in the funding now being spent on singing through Sing Up. 

Since the launch of Sing Up in November, Howard has been busy raising the profile for the provision of singing for children and young people though press interviews, speeches and his radio and TV work. Most recently he has recorded a programme for Teachers TV on primary school singing in South Africa which was broadcast during the summer term (2008).

Howard has been delighted to hear about all the singing which is developing across the country. His vision, that every primary school child will have the opportunity to sing throughout every school day, is being realised thanks to the many teachers, parents, head teachers and musicians who are getting involved and using the resouces made available by Sing Up. With everyone's help, we will be able to ensure that every school is a singing school by March 2011.

Having worked with Howard on developing the Music Manifesto singing plan which, as part of Report Number 2, was submitted to government and resulted in their commitment to a national singing programme in 2007, Bridget Whyte now acts as the Singing Ambassador's Delegate. In this role she supports and acts on behalf of Howard as well as providing advice and guidance to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Sing Up team. In addition, Bridget also has specific responsibility for overseeing the management of the Chorister Outreach Programme, working closely with the Choir Schools Association.

 

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Read Howard's article in the first issue of the Sing Up Magazine here.

Visit www.howardgoodall.co.uk to find out more about Howard Goodall and to view his speeches for Sing Up.