Children from four Worcestershire schools have worked with musician and composer Helen Lyon to create a brand-new song for the Jubilee. 

Across two workshops Helen guided pupils at St Kenelm’s C of E Primary School, Astwood Bank Primary School, Bishop Perowne C of E College and Welland Primary School through the art of songwriting and composition. Each group was encouraged to develop their own creative ideas, try out their performance skills and gained an awareness of musical terminology and composition whilst exploring the theme of the Jubilee. 
 
Using the lyrics and composition ideas developed in the workshops, Helen then created an original song with accompanying score called Red Arrows, named after the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force. The song is a celebration of togetherness and diversity sung to an uplifting anthem.  

29 schools across Worcestershire are learning Red Arrows and will sing the song at The Big Sing an event organised by Severn Arts taking place on June 16, 2022.

Joe George, teacher at Astwood Bank Primary School said: “It was a delight to work with such an inspirational songwriter as Helen Lyon. She created a real sense of fun and purpose and guided the children through a really worthwhile and rewarding process, from initial ideas to a brilliant, finished song. They were hugely engaged!” 

Pupils from the school added: “I feel like we have achieved something great. The song sounds professional and I'm so excited to get to sing it.” “I loved it so much! It was a great opportunity and I really love the song that we made.” 

Councillor Adam Kent, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Corporate Services and Communication, said: “It’s great that so many schoolchildren have been involved with The Big Sing project and produced this brand-new song to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. They should all be very proud of themselves and I’m sure it’ll go down very well when it is performed at the event in June.”  

The song writing project was managed by Severn Arts with sponsorship from Worcestershire County Council.