CHILDREN from 27 different Worcestershire schools came together for The Big Sing workshop organised by Severn Arts.
More than 1,500 Worcestershire children took part in workshop, singing prepared pieces with the theme ‘Around the World’ and the Jubilee song Red Arrows.
The children joined a morning or afternoon workshop with singing leaders Ula Weber and Suzzie Vango and their live band, learning new singing techniques to improve the pieces they had practiced and having lots of fun along the way.
At the end of each session, the children performed the songs from Cuba, Spain and Poland they had been practicing and finished with the brand-new Jubilee song Red Arrows, bringing a celebratory atmosphere.
Red Arrows was composed by Helen Lyon working with pupils from St Kenelm’s CE Primary School, Astwood Bank Primary School, Bishop Perowne CE College and Welland Primary School. Both Helen Lyon and Astwood Bank attended The Big Sing and commented on how brilliant it was to hear the song they had worked on being performed by so many people.
Artwork created by pupils from St George’s Catholic Primary School, Perry Wood Primary School, Crowle First School and Abbey Park Middle School working with artist Sarah Brown was also on display. This piece took inspiration from Red Arrows, along with the theme of the Queen and the Jubilee.
Joe George, a teacher at Astwood Bank Primary School said: “Singing is right at the heart of what we do as a school – and who we are.
“There is a real sense of community and shared purpose when we sing. We attend The Big Sing to get that boost to our musical life from having a great band and hundreds of children joining together.
“Ula and Suzzie are so dynamic and exciting, and all our children go away with a spring in their step and a song in their hearts.”
Debbie Fawcett, Severn Arts director of learning said: “It was a wonderful event. Suzzie and Ula were brilliant at engaging the children. There was so much energy in the room and the children had a lot of fun.
“Because of the pandemic we haven’t been able to put on The Big Sing for the last two years, which made this year even more special and valuable.”
