Primary Schools Singing Day
An annual event, running since 2017, which sees children from local primary schools learn and sing a range of songs for a performance at the end of the day to parents in our Princess Alexandra Auditorium.
Aims
To promote the joy of singing, we invite choirs and classes from local primary schools to participate in a singing day every January. The event took place in the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, with our music teacher leading three schools and our own choir in the rehearsing of a number of different songs. The event finished with an informal concert for parents, with over 100 turning up.
Background
This was the sixth running of our annual Primary Singing Day. The event, which takes place at our Princess Alexandra Auditorium, sees children from local primary schools learn and sing a range of new songs. The event is led by the Prep Music Coordinator, with support from a staff member from the Senior School Music.
The event welcomed children from three local primary schools, as well as our own Prep School Senior Choir (Years 5-6). The morning was spent learning a range of songs, singing in rounds, warm-ups and other musical activities, all led by the Prep Music Coordinator and accompanied by a staff member from the Senior School Music. After lunch, the songs were rehearsed again with ‘polish’, ahead of a performance in front of over 100 visiting parents at the end of the event.
Resources
Yarm Preparatory School contributed two teachers to organise and run the event, which lasted for a day. Lunch and a snack was provided for all of the children. Our two Graduate Assistants were also at the venue for the event to liaise with schools on the day, support the children and help out with any issues (e.g. first aid, toilets, etc).
Impact
Improved confidence and enjoyment in pupils when taking part in musical activities.
Sharing of teaching resources, providing expert teaching of music not always available to local primaries.
Songs were ‘taken back’ by local schools to sing in assemblies and performances at school. Music and backing tracks were recorded and shared.
“The music sent out to us afterwards offered a large variety of songs and covered the curriculum well.” Teacher, The Glebe Primary.
Increased motivation levels among the children taking part.
“It has helped the children to continue to develop their singing and music skills and enabled them to experience an inspirational venue and specialist teaching.” Teacher, Carlton and Faceby Primary School.
Children were provided with an enriching experience and a sense of achievement following the concert at the end.
Knowledge and expertise shared by our teachers with local primary school teachers, who were appreciative of the support received, which doubled up as CPD.
Pupil Involvement
Choirs from three schools, and our own choir, total 150 children taking part.
Frequency
This was the sixth running of the event, which is held every January in our Princess Alexandra Auditorium.