The Big Sing 2022

The Big Sing, organised by Severn Arts and the University of Worcester, took place at University of Worcester Arena on Thursday 16 June 2022.

The Big Sing is an interactive performance where key stage 2 pupils gather from across Worcestershire to sing prepared pieces as part of a huge singing workshop. It is an exciting and motivational opportunity for children and teachers alike to be part of a large-scale musical experience, led by world renowned singing leaders Ula Weber and Suzzie Vango, accompanied by a live band.

The theme for this year's event was 'Around the World'. Each song had been carefully chosen and was used to improve vocal technique as well as providing an opportunity for links to the National Curriculum.

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, Severn Arts offered eight schools across Worcestershire the opportunity to take part in song-writing or visual art workshops led by professional artists. The workshops are sponsored by Worcestershire County Council.

Song-writing workshops

Pupils worked with musician and composer Helen Lyon to create a brand new song for the Jubilee. Across two workshops in four different schools, Helen guided pupils through the art of song-writing and composition, exploring the theme of the Jubilee, and developing pupils’ own creative ideas, performance skills and awareness of musical terminology and composition.

Using the lyrics and composition ideas developed in these workshops, Helen then arranged Red Arrows, one original song with accompanying score, for schools across Worcestershire to learn and perform at The Big Sing event on the 16 June 2022.

Participating schools:

St Kenelm’s C of E Primary School
Astwood Bank Primary School
Bishop Perowne C of E College
Welland Primary School

Visual art workshops

Artist Sarah Brown worked with four Worcestershire schools to introduce pupils to the art of glass engraving. Inspired by the song Red Arrows, created by composer Helen Lyon and pupils from Worcestershire for the Jubilee, Sarah guided pupils through the process of creating original and imaginative art work in response to the song, exploring the theme of the Jubilee as well as developing pupils’ own creative ideas and awareness of a new art form.

Pupils engraved a number of glass discs with their own, original designs, all of which will be carefully connected to form a large-scale glass curtain for exhibition at The Big Sing event on the 16 June 2022 at Worcester Arena.

Participating schools:

St George’s Catholic Primary School
Perry Wood Primary School
Crowle First School
Abbey Park Middle School

The Big Sing resources for schools

Download the teacher resource pack

Please note: Kalinka is no longer being performed at The Big Sing.

Backing tracks