Hundreds of local school children from all across Ripon brought Ripon Cathedral alive with excitement and activity on Wednesday 4th July as part of the cathedral’s musical outreach and community programme.
The music performed included ‘Together we can change the world’, performed by Fountains Abbey C of E Primary School, and ‘Drunken Sailor’ performed by Ripon Cathedral Primary School along with Ripon Cathedral’s own Choristers performing accompanied by the Organ Scholar, Alana Brooks.
For the finale, all 350 school children joined together to sing one final song, ‘Believe’. The singing Development Leader, Aoife O’Connell, said that “Today was the first time the children have performed the final song altogether, with just one rehearsal this morning.
“There is such an overwhelming feeling of positivity hearing so many children singing together.
“We hope that this is the first of many of The Big Sing concerts”.
The outreach programme commenced in September 2017 with the generous support of a grant from the Allchurches Trust. The programme provides free weekly singing sessions in local schools for boys and girls to enhance their musical education, promote togetherness, and build confidence through singing in a fun and engaging way.
James Laing, Director of Grants and Relationships at Allchurches Trust, said “It was fantastic to hear the children’s voices fill the cathedral at The Big Sing and we’re proud to have supported such a successful and enjoyable event.
“The grant we provided for Ripon Cathedral’s music outreach programme is enabling the cathedral to forge even stronger links with local schools and youth groups, as well as protecting its rich musical heritage for future generations.
“I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength”.
A newly formed Youth Choir for young people between the ages of 13 and 18 has also been formed and made its debut performance at the recent installation of the Right Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon. The Youth Choir rehearse weekly during term time.