Hundreds of Sussex school children from local state primary and secondary schools in Eastbourne and Crawley had the unique opportunity to sing alongside world-class singers and musicians from the Glyndebourne Chorus and Glyndebourne Sinfonia last week. The performances were the culmination of Glyndebourne’s Singing Schools Network, an educational initiative to support singing and musical composition in schools that has been taking place this autumn in partnership with Create Music and West Sussex Music.
Since September, the students have been working with composer and conductor Howard Moody and professional opera singer Jennifer Witton to create their own songs based on Haydn’s The Creation, whilst also learning sections of the original piece. These workshops culminated in two sharing events (informal performances) on Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 December at St. John’s Church in Eastbourne and Worth Abbey in Crawley.
Lucy Perry, Head of Learning and Engagement at Glyndebourne, said: ‘Glyndebourne is committed to working in partnership with local schools to support singing and musical composition in the classroom as we know the huge benefits music provides for education and wellbeing. Throughout the autumn, we’ve had the pleasure of working with schools in Eastbourne and Crawley to deliver in-school singing sessions and teacher development workshops. This work culminated in this week’s sharing events, which have provided hugely inspirational experiences for school children as they sing alongside members of the Glyndebourne Chorus and Glyndebourne Sinfonia – an unforgettable experience.’
The project is part of Glyndebourne’s autumn season, which, alongside mainstage opera and concert performances, provides opportunities for close encounters with Glyndebourne musicians both inside and outside the opera house. Along with singing workshops in schools, Glyndebourne musicians have visited local care homes to make music with the residents and invited audiences to enjoy their own chance to sing with the Glyndebourne Chorus in a participatory Messiah masterclass.
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