“The link the school now has with the Minster is invaluable.” – local primary school teacher

“The growth in enthusiasm in the children’s singing is demonstrated by many more of them joining the school choir, since the project began.” – local primary school teacher

“A particular bonus of the project as a church school is the exposure the children are having to sacred music.” – local primary school teacher

York Minster’s Schools Singing Programme has lift off!

After three months of planning, the programme was launched in our first schools after the Easter holidays: Naburn Primary School (roughly 18 children ranging from Years 3-6), St Barnabas (23 children, Years 3 and 4), and St Lawrence’s (about 40 children, Years 3 and 4). Going from nothing to reaching just shy of 100 children a week has been thoroughly energising and enjoyable!

So far, the children have learned the difference between beat and rhythm and have begun learning some Kodály musical terms. They’re also learning about dynamics which they applied to Now the Green Blade Riseth (stand by for Noël Nouvelet in a few months!) and lots of other enjoyable songs. They have even managed to sing a few of rounds in two parts with some confident little singers leading their own parts without adult help. Not bad for only a few hours of tuition thus far!

We are in the process of planning the children’s first singing opportunity in the Minster: a sung lunchtime Eucharist at the end of the summer term – keep an eye out for dates. The children will be singing repertoire by Richard Shephard and Andrew Carter. We hope participating schools come to sing lunchtime Eucharists on a regular basis (termly).

This programme creates opportunities for children from the York Diocese to perform wonderful music in the special setting of York Minster. If your school is interested in having us in the new academic year, contact us at schoolssinging@yorkminster.org!