School choir at Billesdon Primary School
Billesdon Primary School choir was in need of a new volunteer to act as choir master, following the relocation of the previous incumbent. A teacher from LGS (Head of Chemistry) had an existing relationship with the Headteacher so offered to fill the role on a weekly basis. This relationship has been sustained over the last 7 years.
Choir numbers have fluctuated between 8 and 38 (with the inevitable break for Covid) and pupils have worked on music for a variety of occasions: end of term services, celebration/ achievement events, Christmas Carol Singing and one of the most enjoyable highlights, a performance of the pop cantata Jonah Man Jazz for a village celebration day.
The school choir (drawn from Years 4-6) has been regularly invited to sing at the Billesdon Harvest Supper, on Remembrance Sunday and Education Sunday at the Coplow village centre, in the Market Place and in Church.
Post-Covid, and with a lower choir attendance, it was decided that it would be beneficial to switch to whole-activities, with the current HT being very willing to work together to find a mutually-convenient slot, which now involves a run-through of music with the small choir of 8 pupils, then a whole school, 25 minute singing Assembly. The most recent focus has been on music for the Platinum Jubilee and the first proper Leavers’ Service for 2 years.
Aims
The choir is drawn from pupils at Billesdon in Years 4-6 and has been regularly invited to sing at the Billesdon Harvest Supper, on Remembrance Sunday and Education Sunday at the Coplow village centre, in the Market Place and in Church, therefore benefitting the wider community too.
Background
The LGS lead teacher's own children attended Billesdon School before they started at LGS. As a consequence, there was an established link with the Headteacher as a result, the LGS teacher offered to run their school choir about 7 years ago, on relocation of the previous volunteer.
Resources
One member of LGS teaching staff is involved for around 1.5 hours per week, giving his time with no cost to the primary school.
Impact
It is clear that everyone leaves the sessions feeling energised and uplifted by a weekly burst of corporate singing, pupils and staff alike. Music provision at the school does rely on volunteers, given the normal expense that would be incurred in funding such a venture, so pupils are gaining exposure to choral music that they would otherwise miss out on.
Some pupils do continue their music-making post Year 6, with several who are long-standing members of the local church choir, brass and flute groups.
Pupil Involvement
Pupils from Billesdon are in Years 4-6.
Frequency
The choir meets every week and currently the LGS teacher involved spends an hour at the school, plus travel time.
This relationship has continued for the last 7 years and is proposed to continue indefinitely.
Further opportunities are being envisaged, to fill a gap within the local area to enable 4/5 primaries to participate in a singing morning/afternoon, at LGS, on the back of a very successful one that was tried 3 years ago, in conjunction with LGJS, and as a tool which could help preserve and pass on the singing of church choral music.