Singing Strategy
“Singing can improve pupils’ learning, confidence, health and social development. It has the power to change lives and build stronger communities….”
About Singing Strategy
Somerset Music in conjunction with Jackdaws has written a Singing strategy to enable the guidance published in the National Plan for Music to be implemented.
In the National Plan for Music Education (NPME) II, “The Power of Music to Change Lives” (published June 2022), singing is identified as the golden thread that should run through a child’s musical education, particularly during their primary school years.
The singing strategy for Somerset schools aims to give every child the opportunity to sing in and out of school, develop musical skills through singing and make progress by improving their singing.
Our vision is for every school to have teachers that are confident to lead singing, for every school to have a choir and for singing to be a normal and embedded part of the school day/week.
This will be achieved through a comprehensive offer, some of which is included in a wider package that can be bought into from Somerset Music and some of which is a stand-alone offer.
Offer includes:
Sing Up- Subsidised access to this brilliant resource is offered as part of a package buy in.
CPD offered to all Somerset schools via the package buy in – 90m CPD session delivered by one of our trained and experienced singing leaders. This includes two strands of CPD that are accredited.
Singing Festivals- A performance opportunity offered to all Somerset schools. 7 take place in different locations. Free to all schools.
Choir and curriculum support- Bespoke packages of 10h tailored support offered to all schools in Somerset. These are limited and not part of the package offer but paid for by the schools separately.
Choir competition- Free to access offered to all schools in Somerset and Dorset, not as part of a package. Schools can enter online and win money to put towards music in their school and other prizes.
Choir leaders network- online networking and CPD offered to all choir leads in Somerset.
Secondary Gifted and Talented – All secondaries in Somerset offered the chance to work with an inspiring external provider as part of package buy in, with tailored rep leading to a performance.
Pop up Choirs- Events across the year, led by our experienced leaders and focused on specific events e.g. Christmas concert in Wells cathedral. Offered to all 8-18 year olds.
Singing ambassador- our singing ambassador works with schools to discuss how singing happens in their school and what support we can give them.
“For the love you bring won’t mean a thing
Unless you sing, sing, sing, sing “ – Travis
Somerset Music Infant Provision 2026-27
Somerset Music Primary Provision 2026-27
Somerset Music Middle School Provision 2026-27
Somerset Music Secondary Provision 2026-27
Somerset Music SEND Provision 2026-27
Contact us
Somerset Music Bridgwater Singing Festival July 2023
“Singing can improve pupils’ learning, confidence, health and social development. It has the power to change lives and build stronger communities. This is why we are asking hubs to develop singing strategies, in and beyond schools, to ensure that every child sings regularly and that choirs are available. Such strategies will widen singing opportunities for all pupils, drive up quality and give routes for progression such as access to chorister programmes, area/county choirs and the National Youth Choir.”
National Plan for Music, DFE
Sing Together! July 2024
Mark De-Lisser renowned choral director, vocal coach and arranger returned to Somerset for Sing Together 2024! Three days of singing and performing with Mark as guest conductor on the final day.
Mark’s work includes conducting the ‘Children in Need’ choir, ‘Our Dementia’ choir, The Voice and The Masked Singer. Those of you who have worked with him before will remember his energy and inspiration he brings whilst offering the pupils the chance to work with one of the countries leading vocal coaches.
Singing strategy festivals and workshops Future and past events
Singing Festivals - Summer 2027
Once again we will be running a series of Singing Festivals across the county during the Spring and Summer Terms in 2027. We have events planned for Bridgwater, Cheddar, Frome, Minehead, Wellington and Yeovil. The event is free for any school to take part in. If you have not already expressed an interest to be involved then please do so.
South Somerset Singing Festival – Monday 22nd March, Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil, BA20 2DD
Wellington Singing Festival – Thursday 6th May TBC, Court Fields Community School, Wellington, TA21 8SW
Bridgwater Singing Festivals – Monday 28th & Tuesday 29th June, McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater, TA6 4PZ
West Somerset Singing Festival – Wednesday 30th June TBC, The Regal Theatre, Minehead, TA24 5AY
South Somerset Singing Festival – Monday 5th July, Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil, BA20 2DD
Cheddar Singing Festival – Tuesday 6th July, Wookey Hole, BA5 1BA
Frome Singing Festival – Monday 12th July, Cheese & Grain Theatre, Frome, BA11 1BE
Singing Festivals - Summer 2019
In June/July across Somerset the fourth year of Singing Festivals took place giving schools the chance to showcase their singing talent. The Singing Festivals are an exciting opportunity for pupils to perform to a wider audience in a venue that is different to their normal school setting. Each school group performs two songs with the evening culminating in a massed performance by all the pupils taking part. With over 150 pupils at each event this creates a wonderful sound.
The Singing Festivals are part of the Singing Strategy offer available to schools within the county. This offer is delivered by a team of vocal specialists who work with Somerset Schools on a regular basis. Each Singing Festival is led by a Singing Leader who helps to encourage and create a professional atmosphere for all taking part.
The performances are to open to the public and take place in Bridgwater, Frome, Minehead and Wellington.
Gifted and Talented Singing Workshops March 2019
In March we were delighted to work with Apollo 5 the highly talented and internationally known a cappella group. Apollo 5 is part of an innovative education programme designed to inspire creativity through music. The Castle School in Taunton hosted an event attended by other local schools which provided the opportunity for pupils to take part in a workshop and performance. The event was a great success and was described as an “amazing opportunity”.
Other workshops took place in schools across the county hosted by Somerset Music’s Singing Leaders providing expert tuition to talented young singers in Somerset. These workshops are designed to encourage pupils to develop their range of singing styles and to enhance their performance by increasing confidence in their singing ability.
Singing Project - March 2019
Two schools have been working together on a joint singing project with Kirsten Wordley, Deputy Director of Somerset Music. At the end of the project they put on a concert.
Phone us on 0300 1237364 or send us a message