It’s an exciting time ahead for secondary school singing offered by West Sussex Music.
The music charity, based in Horsham serves the whole of West Sussex, providing high quality musical opportunities for children and young people across the county.
Coming up, West Sussex Music has two Sings Live! massed singing days taking place in March – one at Christ’s Hospital near to Horsham, the other at St Paul’s Church in Chichester; both aimed at young people in Key Stage 3, 4, 5 (Year 9 to Year 13).
With Sings Live! secondary schools are invited to bring along students who love singing for a day’s workshop with specialist choral trainers Emily Barden and James Bartlett. Emily and James will be introducing participants to a range of songs themed around the natural world. After the day’s rehearsal session, families will be invited to enjoy the sound of the massed choir.
In addition to the Sings Live! programme, West Sussex Music is bringing together experienced and confident school and youth choirs to join West Sussex Youth Choir, West Sussex Young Voices, and West Sussex Youth Orchestra to perform The Water Diviner’s Tale by West Sussex based Oscar winning composer Rachel Portman on Monday 23 March at Worthing Assembly Hall.
The Water Diviner’s Tale is an oratorio that deals with the issue of climate change, written by film composer Rachel Portman and poet/novelist Owen Sheers. The work features five soloists, massed youth choirs, orchestra, and a narrator to tell the inspiring and moving story exploring what is happening to our world due to climate change.
James Underwood, Chief Executive of West Sussex Music said: “Singing is a wonderful way for young people to express themselves. We want all young people to experience the power of massed singing, and our programme of singing events for schools aims to do just that. The Sings Live! events bring so much joy, and I encourage secondary colleagues to join us at Christ’s Hospital or St. Paul’s Church.
“We’re also incredibly excited to have the opportunity to perform The Water Diviner’s Tale, by West Sussex based composer Rachel Portman. Rachel’s work has been heard on many incredible film soundtracks, so we feel very fortunate that Rachel has given us permission to perform this piece.”
Secondary schools will have already received their invitations to take part in Sings Live! on 11 March or 18 March and it’s not too late to sign up.
The Water Diviner’s Tale will be performed at Worthing Assembly Hall on Monday 23 March at 7pm. Tickets go on sale soon.
