Music programme celebrates 20th anniversary
A schools singing programme led by a partnership between Lichfield Cathedral School and the city’s Cathedral backed by funding from Arts Council England is celebrating its 20th birthday.
The milestone will be marked by a production of the community opera, Noye’s Fludde by Benjamin Britten, to be performed in Lichfield Cathedral on 10 and 11 November, starting at 7.30pm, with tickets available from https://www.trybooking,co.uk/46413
The programme was initially inspired by a Chorister Outreach Project established by Truro Cathedral, then imitated by other cathedrals nationwide through the Choir School’s Association, which became a major strand of a government initiative known as Sing Up.
Lichfield was the third cathedral to start their outreach programme under its first Director, Alex Mason and initially worked with three schools per term with a culmination concert and a Saturday morning choir for primary school aged children.
MusicShare now works with around 150 schools per year, mostly in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin where the areas are covered by the local music education hub, The Music Partnership
In addition, it has five non-auditioned choirs (Mini Voices 0-5 year olds, Young Voices 6-11 year olds, Youth Voices 12-18 year olds, Ladies who Lark 18+) with the most recent addition being Ukrainian Voices for people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to engage with the rich diversity of Ukrainian music. With Lichfield having over 300 Ukrainian refugees the new choir was seen as a fitting addition for the 20th anniversary year.
The programme encompasses a variety of events, working with many different settings (primary, secondary, SEND). The repertoire covered ranges from classical to pop, musical theatre, to rock and roll. Opportunities for the choirs over the years have included events such as singing at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; Worcester Cathedral and York Minster.
Cathy Lamb, who has now led the programme for over 16 years, said “It is a real joy, on occasion, to bump into a teenager or young adult in Lichfield who recognizes me as the singing lady from Lichfield Cathedral and to hear their stories of what they got out of the programme when their school was involved.
“I am hugely proud of what MusicShare has become but it could not have expanded in such a way without the incredible support from my colleagues at the Cathedral School and Cathedral, some astoundingly amazing volunteers, a hugely talented team of animateurs (singing leaders) and undoubtedly the financial and creative support of The Music Partnership and my coworkers within it.
“Music has an immeasurable effect on us as human beings and its educational benefits are unquestionable, I strongly believe that every child has the right to experience a broad and balanced musical education and am thrilled that MusicShare can play even a small part in this.”
