Glyndebourne, the world-famous opera house in East Sussex, has a year-round education programme which was established in 1986. Glyndebourne education has led projects in the coastal towns of Newhaven and Peacehaven in East Sussex for many years. Projects include Glynedeboourne Transition 2004-2008, a project that enhanced young people's progress from Primary to Secondary Schools using opera as a catalyst for creativity.

Sing Up Newhaven and Peacehaven enables Glyndebourne to build on these projects to encourage and develop whole school singing from Reception to Year 6 in the six primary schools, set up choirs in the two secondary schools, Newhaven Tideway School and Peacehaven Community School and to work with the community.

The central theme will be story-telling through song-the passing on of legends and folk tales, social histories and the telling of current stories including children's own stories. East Sussex has a rich and thriving folk music scene which this project will explore.

Aims and Objectives

• Enable Glyndebourne to build on and develop partnerships and long term relationships within the locality
• Create more learning and participatory opportunities
• Offer regular delivery of singing workshops, after school choirs, staff choirs and showcase events for all year groups and teachers in primary schools
• Consult with young people, teachers and the community to explore the history and issues of importance of the community in order to 'dig for stories' to sing
• Work with the genres of folk music, as well as opera to create songs
• Develop models of whole school singing
• Work with the Sing Up Area Leader to offer training opportunities to current and potential vocal leaders within the community
• Present performances at Glyndebourne and in Newhaven and Peacehaven that showcase Sing Up activity
• To leave a legacy of singing in Newhaven and Peacehaven

There will be a performance on 5 March 2009 at Glyndebourne as part of Glyndebourne's 75th Anniversary Celebrations.

 

For more information, please contact Katie Tearle-Head of Education