The Singing Strategy

The Singing Strategy aims to improve both the quality and quantity of singing in all Wandsworth Schools. Our bespoke singing programme is based on combining a thorough understanding of the developing child’s voice, with exciting and challenging repertoire led by singing specialists to inspire children and staff about their potential to sing.

All participating class teachers will receive CPD at the start of each project where they will be introduced to the project, repertoire and vocal techniques. The structure of the project ensures that classroom teachers can engage fully in the teaching of the warmups and songs.

The termly vocal projects are delivered by Wandsworth Music vocal specialists, alongside class teachers and teaching assistants. All resources, including sheet music, backing tracks, videos and dance moves are provided. The Vocal Team will support class teachers in the delivery during the weekly sessions with a view to developing the skills and confidence to continue using singing in the classroom and beyond long after the life of the projects.  

The aims of the singing projects are to:

• Provide children, teachers and the school community with the opportunity to benefit from the positive effects of singing on mental health and wellbeing;
• Provide children and teachers with a positive experience of singing and to increase confidence in singing and performing;
• Encourage and support the development of high quality singing through the teaching of vocal technique, general musicianship, reading of notation, song delivery and performance techniques;
• Provide children with an opportunity to perform at prestigious concert venues and to different audiences;
• Establish excellent singing practice and provide class teachers with the tools and experience to develop the use of singing in the classroom, beyond vocal leader visits.

Primary Vocal Projects

The termly singing projects focus on different year groups each term as follows:

Autumn term Year 3&4 (weekly 1 hour sessions over 10 weeks)

Spring term Year 5&6 (weekly 1.5 hour sessions over 10 weeks)

Summer term Year R,1&2 (weekly 45mins sessions over 10 weeks)

Performances

Regular performances are a central part of musical progression. A performance opportunity (in school, to parents and other children) will be scheduled at the end of each project. This is a chance for children to showcase what they have learnt to the rest of the school and more importantly to their parents.

In addition schools are invited to participate in borough concerts, such as the annual Brighter Sounds & Winter Sounds concerts which take place at venues such as Fairfield Halls and the Royal Albert Hall!

Secondary Vocal Projects

Each year Wandsworth Music brings together a massed secondary choir to perform at the annual Brighter Sounds concert. The opportunity to participate is open to all Wandsworth Secondary Schools.

Repertoire and backing tracks are provided by WM and schools are expected to teach the content during their normal choir rehearsals.

Wandsworth Music vocal tutors and partner organisations (for example the National Opera Studio) also support the teaching and learning.

In previous years the choir have sung everything from Mozart’s Requiem to Michael Buble!