The Darley Abbey Choir

The Darley Abbey choir is a combined schools singing and signing (BSL) choir with Old Vicarage pupils and pupils from a local state school. The choir performs at village events and beyond and was formed to perform at local events, such as Darley Abbey Day (a celebration of life in our village) and Remembrance Sunday at St Matthew's Parish Church. The choir performed at the Derby Live, Darley Park Concert in front of 30,000+.

Aims

Darley Abbey has two Primary settings, Walter Evans CE Primary and The Old Vicarage School, an independent prep school for children aged 3-13 years.

Background

Connections were made by the two schools Head Teachers. The choir is planning a charity recording, possible choir tour and some further public performances locally and beyond. 

Resources

The Old Vicarage School pays for the choir teacher's time as well as provides the sign language training. Rehearsals are split between the two schools and the choir also practices at the local parish church of St Matthew's. 

Impact

Hugely positive reaction from local residents and from the wider region. Derby is a centre for Deaf Children and people with the Royal School for the Deaf nearby - that is why we wanted to add the signing element to our performances.

Pupil Involvement

The choir has up to 40 members, dependant on who is available if the choir performs outside of term time. 

Frequency

The choir meets regularly for rehearsal (usually weekly, but more as a performance approaches). This is an on-going project.