Cathedral launches singing schools initiative

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is launching its Singing Schools programme on Tuesday, June 13, with a concert at 5pm.

The Singing Schools programme seeks to support primary schools in and around Bury St Edmunds through vocal workshops and performance opportunities led by the cathedral’s music team.

The launch concert will feature children from several of the schools the cathedral works with, including Barrow, Tollgate, Cheveley and Ickworth Park primary schools, Howard Primary Academy, Abbots Green Academy and South Lee School.

Over the past two years the cathedral has reached 12 schools in and around Bury St Edmunds and run singing workshops with an estimated 500 children, with a hope to expand in future years.

A combined choir of around 100 voices will sing several songs together, as well as items from individual school choirs, showcasing the musical talent of schools in the area.

The school children will be joined by the Cathedral Choristers, many of whom have joined the Cathedral Choir through the cathedral’s work in local schools.

Timothy Parsons, director of Music at the cathedral, said of the programme: “We’re hugely looking forward to welcoming some of the children from the schools we’ve been working with this term to perform in the cathedral. It promises to be an uplifting musical experience which will be a fantastic way to launch our Singing Schools programme.”