Centre stage for school singers

Published on 29th November 2007 in News

Two primary schools in the area are taking part in the performance of a lifetime by performing on the stage at Sheffield Arena this week.

Snaith Primary School took part in the Young Voices competition yesterday and Eastrington Primary will be performing in the event today, which will see one of the largest assembled choirs of schoolchildren, bringing together schools from across the region.

The pupils will perform alongside celebrities such as Lee Ryan, UK champion beatboxer Beardyman and operatic artists Alexander Grove and Louise Sjostedt.

Young Voices holds its concerts annually across the UK, introducing school children aged six to 16 to a wide range of musical disciplines, as well as the chance to perform with famous acts.

Young Voices marketing director Ben Lewis said: "We have found that encouraging children to take part in such large-scale concerts is a great way to interest them in a very broad range of music, from pop to opera.

"It is really important that children have the chance to get involved with music and performing with celebrity acts is a fitting reward for all the hard work they put in during the run-up."

As well as benefitting school pupils, the concerts also help to raise money for children's charities CLIC Sargent and Great Ormond Street.

The concerts, which also take place in Manchester and Birmingham, are conducted by internationally-acclaimed David Lawrence, who is assistant conductor for the Birmingham Symphony Chorus and has conducted first performances for a host of composers.