Cathedral Schools Join Sing Up
Primary schools are being inspired to start their own choirs following closer collaboration with cathedral choral groups
Choristers up and down the country are now part of Sing Up thanks to successful pioneering outreach schemes by various cathedrals over the past seven years.
During this time an increasing number of cathedral foundations have been involved in various types of partnership activities. The new scheme, announced by the Secretary of State in January 2007, brings together the best elements, in particular the model used by Truro, which can be used by all foundations whether they have choir schools or not.
Each project operates at three levels: chorister visits to primary schools and joint concerts; the setting up of Saturday junior choirs; and the employment of animateurs to work with schools in the area. There is an open invitation to primary school teachers to come and observe the junior choir sessions. Hopefully this will give them the confidence to start their own school choirs and it is recommended that each project provides a termly workshop opportunity to give teachers hands-on experience.
Jenny Mason, Deputy Head of Staffordshire Performing Arts states that the Lichfield Musicshare programme “has benefited hundreds of young people and their teachers. They have access to music making of the highest quality, have been exposed to excellent suitable repertoire and had a chance to perform in a beautiful environment. The impact on boys’ singing has been significant. The effect on all those involved in Musicshare has been profound. Levels of achievement have risen due to the quality of the provision and the commitment of the deliverers.”
Choristers up and down the country are now part of Sing Up thanks to successful pioneering outreach schemes by various cathedrals over the past seven years.
During this time an increasing number of cathedral foundations have been involved in various types of partnership activities. The new scheme, announced by the Secretary of State in January 2007, brings together the best elements, in particular the model used by Truro, which can be used by all foundations whether they have choir schools or not.
Each project operates at three levels: chorister visits to primary schools and joint concerts; the setting up of Saturday junior choirs; and the employment of animateurs to work with schools in the area. There is an open invitation to primary school teachers to come and observe the junior choir sessions. Hopefully this will give them the confidence to start their own school choirs and it is recommended that each project provides a termly workshop opportunity to give teachers hands-on experience.
Jenny Mason, Deputy Head of Staffordshire Performing Arts states that the Lichfield Musicshare programme “has benefited hundreds of young people and their teachers. They have access to music making of the highest quality, have been exposed to excellent suitable repertoire and had a chance to perform in a beautiful environment. The impact on boys’ singing has been significant. The effect on all those involved in Musicshare has been profound. Levels of achievement have risen due to the quality of the provision and the commitment of the deliverers.”
