Sings Live!
spring 2026

It was a ‘lovely day’ when students from nine schools from across West Sussex came together to as part of West Sussex Music’s Sings Live!  

Sings Live! which took place on Wednesday 11 March was a day’s choral workshop organised by West Sussex Music for secondary students and their teachers led by specialists Emily Barden and James Bartlett. Following the workshop’s rehearsals, the day ended with a performance to parents and carers. 

The theme of the day was “the natural world” and the repertoire included Voice In The World by Emily Barden; Song Of Promises from The Water Diviner’s Tale by Rachel Portman; Lovely Day by Bill Withers; Better Is One Day arranged by Trey McLaughlin, and Colors Of The Wind by Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz. 

WSM’s Sings Live! programme promotes and supports singing in schools for students aged 11 to 18 years. By providing teacher training and inspiring opportunities for students, our objective is to ensure every school “gets singing” and puts singing at the heart of their curriculum. The following week Emily led another Sings Live! workshop at St Philip Howard Catholic School at Barnham. 

Wednesday’s Sings Live! Involved 213 young singers from Christ’s Hospital School, Hazelwick School, Ifield Community College, Manor Green College, Oak Grove College, Oriel High School, The Gatwick School, Thomas Bennett Community College, and Warden Park Secondary Academy.  

Video here

The Water Diviner’s Tale by Rachel Portman 

In addition to our Sings Live! programme, WSM brought together experienced and confident choirs to join West Sussex Youth Choir and West Sussex Youth Orchestra to perform The Water Diviner’s Tale by Rachel Portman on Monday 23 March at Worthing Assembly Hall. Originally a schools’ project by Opera North, we staged this environmentally aware performance as an oratorio massed choir & orchestra.

The news release is here.

What people are saying

“It was wonderful seeing the students’ genuine enthusiasm on the stage, it was heartwarming.  Looking forward to the next one!”

“Our students will often not get the opportunity to be part of something like this, particularly with mainstream peers of the same age, or have the opportunity to perform in a venue like this evening, so giving them that experience, I’m sure will definitely stay with them forever.”

“It’s such a great opportunity for our students to work with other schools and choir leaders, and have the opportunity to perform in a fantastic event with a large audience.”

“Great community opportunity for students to work together as a year group and learn the skills required for successful performance”

“I thought it was a superb event. Thoroughly enjoyable. I am always very glad to advocate the power of music in education – it is a real force for good for our young people.”

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