Hundreds of children from schools across the North East sang their hearts out at a spectacular music event.
Sage Gateshead hosted its annual ‘singathon’ where pupils from 59 schools got a chance to show off their vocal talents.
The Big Sing, for seven to 16-year-olds, and the Big Sing for Mini Singers, aimed at four to seven-year-olds, are yearly music projects run by Sage Gateshead’s schools and early years team, and they have grown into one of the key highlights in the school calendar.
Over the last few months, more than 3,000 youngsters have been learning a set of songs which culminated in performances at the venue’s Hall One and Two.
As part of the project, teachers received specialised training and support from professional musicians, resource packs to use in the classroom and a half-day workshop delivered during the summer term.
This year the Big Sing celebrated 10 years of Sage Gateshead.
The music included Our House by Madness, True Colours by Cindy Lauper and We Are The Champions by Queen. The title of The Big Sing for Mini Singers this year was On A Journey - a performance for everyone who loves an adventure.
Sharon Durant, programme leader at Sage Gateshead, said: “I look forward to The Big Sing every July.
“This year’s theme was Celebration and we were very excited to open our doors to over 50 schools, filling Sage One with joyous singing, rapping and dancing.
“Teachers and students have been working their vocal socks off to get ready for this event and it has been a privilege to work with them.”
Once again the project was supported by The Kavli Trust, which owns Primula Cheese, to give schools the opportunity to learn new repertoire and to expand pupils’ musical horizons in a fun and engaging way.
Inger Elise Iverson, manager for the Trust, said: “The North East has been the UK base of our Primula Cheese brand since the 1930s, profits from which we donate to charitable causes supporting humanitarian work, research and cultural activities both in the UK and abroad.
“We’re proud to sponsor such an important event in the calendar of schools across the North of England, helping to enrich and stimulate the younger members of our society through song and music.”
