Handel Big Sing Festival

In May 2025, as part of the London Handel Festival we collaborated to create the 'Handel Big Sing Festival'.  Over 50 CLSG students sang as part of massed choir of 380 children from eight partner schools, accompanied by the London Handel Orchestra in a celebration of the life and legacy of an iconic London musical figure. This spectacular musical partnership finale was the culmination of regular workshops led by CLSG teachers covering singing, literacy, creative writing, London history, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.  

Aims

The aim of this programme was to utilise the expertise of teachers from the City schools to help state school pupils with their Oxbridge interview preparation. 

Background

Schools in the City of London Family of Schools have worked together previously on a musical project called Wren 300. This project aimed to develop and expand participation in musical education and incorporate literacy, history and EDI.  

Resources

Teachers from CLSG led workshops in partner schools to prepare for the final concert. The London Handel Festival supported the partnership as a professional orchestra.  

Impact

Pupils and staff said that they benefitted from learning about another composer from history, singing with a large audience and working together with other schools to sing in unison.  

Quotes from pupils:  
‘I learned how my vocabulary can change. It's been really exciting to sing to a big audience and I'm very proud of having worked on this for months.’ 
‘I enjoyed the songs- it sounds so lovely when we sing in unison. I have loved singing with my friends and others from different schools.’ 
‘The orchestra was amazing.’  
‘The experience of coming together and singing as a community was just so enjoyable.'

Pupil Involvement

380 pupils involved from Year 5+.

Frequency

Pupils benefitted from one musical workshop per term and the final performance, which took place at the Guildhall in London.