A celebration of music and poetry at Manchester Sings
Manchester Cathedral will again be the setting for the third Manchester Sings concert, a successful partnership project between seven Greater Manchester schools, on Tuesday 29 November.
This celebration of music and poetry, a project initiated by Withington Girls’ School, was first held in December 2019 at Manchester Cathedral and brings together around 200 children from participating schools. The choirs rehearse separately at their own schools, under the guidance of the Director of Music at Withington Girls’ School, Mrs Gilly Sargent, and then gather on the day of the event to perform together as a massed choir for the very first time a programme of six songs, all linked to a specially chosen theme. Pupils from the participating schools are also writing poems inspired by the theme ‘We’re all in this together’.
Although the pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020, Manchester Sings returned with a vibrant and uplifting event in 2021. This year, Mrs Sargent began rehearsals during the first half of the Autumn term with children and staff at the six primary schools who are to join this year’s event: Broadfield Primary School in Oldham, St Kentigern’s RC Primary School in Fallowfield, St Luke’s CofE Primary School in Bury, St Margaret’s CofE Primary School in Whalley Range, Whitefield Community Primary School and Wilbraham Primary School in Fallowfield.
“At Withington, music is not only a key part of our curriculum, but very much at the heart of our school. We recognise just how powerful music can be in so many ways – helping to bring people together, breaking down barriers, building confidence and engendering a real sense of community.“
At 3pm on the afternoon of Tuesday 29 November, guest and visitors to the Cathedral will be treated to an hour of celebratory music and song, along with several readings by pupils of their own poetry.
Two local charity partners – Wood Street Mission, which supports children and families on low incomes in Manchester and Salford, and The Booth Centre homeless charity – will be supported through Manchester Sings.
Complimentary tickets can be booked on Eventbrite if you wish to attend Manchester Sings this year.
