YOUNG SUNDERLAND VOICES will again fill Durham Cathedral next Wednesday (25 November) for the annual Music Outreach Concert.
The concert in Durham Cathedral (www.durhamcathedral.co.uk) is the culmination of the annual Outreach Programme involving Sunderland primary schools joining forces with the Cathedral Choristers.
The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland, Councillor Alan Emerson and Mrs Janice Emerson, will join the parents, friends and family of the young Sunderland singers and other guests at Durham Cathedral for the performance which begins at1.40pm.
James Randle, Director of Music at the Cathedral’s Chorister School, now leads the Cathedral’s Music Outreach programme which began in 2003 initially as a project working solely with Sunderland primary schools.
He said:” We are once again looking forward to welcoming children from schools in Sunderland to Durham Cathedral for the annual Music Outreach Concert.
“Children from the eight partnership schools have worked hard to learn a variety of songs to perform to their family and friends on 25 November.”
This year’s concert will see over 200 young voices drawn from eight Sunderland schools performing alongside the Cathedral Choristers:
- St Michael’s RC Primary School
- Dame Dorothy Primary School
- Our Lady Queen of Peace RC VA Primary School
- St Paul’s CE Primary School
- Bexhill Academy
- Broadway Junior School
- English Martyr’s RC
- Richard Avenue Primary School
Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Pat Smith said: “The Outreach Programme is a great opportunity for our primary school children to develop their musical talents still further, and to perform in front of family and friends at Durham Cathedral which is always a great occasion.
“Sunderland City Council values its close working relationship with Durham Cathedral and its Choristers, and the outreach programme has provided hundreds of primary schoolchildren with this fantastic experience over the years.
“This concert is the result of months of hard work by the children, their teachers and their schools and I hope that they all enjoy it.”
Manager of Sunderland City Council’s Music Education Hub, Rebecca Pedlow, who helps organise the Outreach Project with funding received from Arts Council England and Department for Education, added: ” As lead partner for the Sunderland Music Education Hub, Sunderland City Council is delighted to support the Outreach Project which provides our primary schools with such a fantastic musical opportunity.
”The quality of teaching and learning delivered by Durham Cathedral benefits both teachers and children, helping to develop their vocal skills and music leadership through sessions in schools and singing in Durham Cathedral alongside the Cathedral Choristers.
“We are grateful to the financial support from Arts Council, DfE Music Hub funding and Durham Cathedral supporters who enable children and young people to take part in these events.”
This year’s programme includes Edelweiss by Rodgers and Hammerstein, local traditional favourite the Lambton Worm and Nativity Carol by John Rutter.
