Celebrating the singing champions

Howard Goodall, National Singing Amabassador (2011)

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I agreed to be the National Singing Ambassador back in January 2007, but it turned out to be one of the best roles I’ve ever had. It’s been a real privilege to see Sing Up develop into a national programme that contributes to life in virtually every primary school in England.

When Sing Up started, it was vital that there was a significant and constant national campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of singing and how the programme could help to create a ‘Singing School’. With the help of people such as Jamelia, Jodie Prenger and Gareth Malone, we appeared on radio and TV, in newspapers and at conferences to shout as loud as possible about singing and the Sing Up programme.

I am very proud to say that over the past years I have been aware that there are more and more people across the country – both young and old – who have become Singing Ambassadors. Teachers, other school staff, parents and children themselves are spreading the Sing Up message, and these days when I visit schools and attend conferences it is usually to hear about how schools are using singing rather than to tell them why they should be!

I am therefore delighted that, as other work pressures mean I have needed to take more of a back seat, moving forward there are a plethora of Sing Up agents across the country who can take my place. I will, of course, continue to support and watch with interest the development of Sing Up and look forward to hearing how schools continue to encourage singing, knowing that my job is done and all of you as Singing Ambassadors have taken up the baton to keep finding every opportunity to burst into song!

Maurice Walsh

is senior vocal tutor at Manchester Music Service, which is part of a Sing Up Flagship partnering with Salford Music and Performing Arts Service and the Hallé Orchestra, also fulfilling the Area Leader role for the area.

"From 2003, Manchester Music Service has been supporting daily singing in every Key Stage 2 classroom in the city through its Singing School programme. Using this common repertoire and the approach that children lead their own singing, thousands of pupils regularly sing together, in year groups, at large venues. Individual schools have their own Singing Squares every term."

TIP: To embed singing you need: plenty of easy-to-learn songs which appeal to the children and the teacher – especially if some of the songs are related to the curriculum. You can also use a CD or Song Bank track to learn them from (so the teacher doesn't always have to lead the singing) and plenty of sharing occasions led by the children themselves. This is singing for fun – next, you can focus on the quality of singing.

Helen Mahoney

is project manager for Sing Up Bridlington, a Sing Up Community run by Opera North.

"Our project has been based around a residency at Bay Primary School, where we are working intensively with all pupils and staff to embed singing into the curriculum and have a lasting impact on the school."

TIP: A large part of my role has been about building relationships and trust with all our partners and the children we work with – and I think this is the key to the success of any such project.

Joe Peterson

is a Sing Up Strand Manager, based at The Sage Gateshead and responsible for Workforce Development in the North West, East and West Midlands regions.

"There is a commonality of passion, commitment and determination to spread the word and place singing at the heart of every school child’s life."

TIP: The one thing I’d say to anyone who was thinking of whether or not to try to champion singing in their school or local community, is ‘just to go for it’ – in the knowledge that with Sing Up they would be part of a national community of people passionate about singing, with lots of networks and support on hand.

Steve Barker

is Headteacher of St Pancras Catholic Primary School, Ipswich, a Platinum Award school.

"St Pancras has become well and truly a singing school. When people come through the school’s doors – whether they’re parents, grandparents, local authority officers, or members of the community – they expect to hear singing."

TIP: My key advice for any Headteacher embarking on a similar project would
be to get yourself someone who is totally committed to lead the mission, then give them the resources, time and space they need to make it thrive. The children will be right with you, loving every minute.

Lisa Bradley

is a teaching assistant at Cedar House School – a residential school for pupils with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties – has taken part in Sing Up Vocal Force and is running singing lessons with help from Liz Denton Reed, a freelance community music practitioner.

"In the school community, Sing Up has had a positive effect on raising awareness and understanding of singing in its widest sense. Children have learned warm-up exercises for their bodies and voices and have written raps on a range of subjects, including teachers, lessons and personal issues, many of which have been performed and recorded."

TIP: You have to aspire for the best from children, with a relaxed happy attitude, while accepting whatever they can bring to the lesson. Embrace the Sing Up programme as we have and you will not look back. The people involved in Sing Up have been wholly supportive and encouraging.