Lancaster schools singing festival is 'bigger and better than ever'

Thursday, 30 March 2023 08:22

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The Lancaster and District Schools' Singing Festival. Photo from Thurnham St Glasson C of E Primary School.

More than 1500 schoolchildren came together to perform five concerts in the biggest ever schools singing festival held in Lancaster.

The Lancaster and District Schools’ Singing Festival took place at the Ashton Hall in Lancaster last week with children aged between five and eleven from 37 primary schools in Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding districts taking part.

They entertained their families and friends as well as local dignitaries including Councillor Joyce Pritchard, mayor of Lancaster, with newly composed pieces, pops songs and songs from around the world.

In addition to the singing, the festival was able to showcase the talents of young local musicians: Ellie Knowles and Annie Hughes (vocalists); Ash Murphy and Logan Aitchinson (beatbox); Hannah Wickes (saxophone) and the Turning Point Theatre Art dancers.

The number of schools and children taking part in 2023 represented the largest festival to date.

The festival was given the use of the Ashton Hall for one week a year to promote singing in schools over 70 years ago, and continues to be supported by Lancaster City Council.

Debbie Pilkington, KS1 (Key Stage 1) conductor, said: “We have really missed being able to hold our festival in the historic Ashton Hall and return with songs celebrating our ‘Wonderful World’ and ‘We’re All in this Together’.

"It has been a privilege to be back working with our local schools. To be greeted with excitement and enthusiasm, not just from the children but from the staff too, is testament to the boost to our well-being that singing together can bring.”

Emma Williams, Singing Lead for the Lancashire Music Hub who conducts KS2, said: “It is so exciting to be back with our singing schools in the Ashton Hall for the first time since 2019. The Singing Festival has a long, wonderful legacy of bringing our school community together in song and this year is no exception.”

Paul Bowden, Headteacher at Slyne-with-Hest St Luke’s CE Primary School and a member of the organising committee, said: "It is a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they have practised the songs to take part in this years Singing Festival. Having had to take a break from the festival during and after the pandemic, it is wonderful that we have returned and bigger and better than ever. The festival is a long-standing treasure in the school calendar."

Sarah Harding, KS2 teacher, Overton-St-Helens, said: “It has been wonderful to see the confidence develop and shine through our children as they have learned new songs! They were very much ready for and excited about performing to an audience in such a grand venue!”

Alex Thomas, Year 2 Class Teacher, Bowerham Primary and Nursery School, said: “The Year 2 children at Bowerham have absolutely loved practising the songs for the singing festival. They have really enjoyed exploring songs in different languages and couldn't wait to perform with the band at the Ashton Hall.”

Here are some photos from the festival from the schools' Facebook pages.

Thurnham Glasson C of E Primary School