The Liverpool Cathedral Schools Singing Programme works with 12 primary schools each term. Our expert music team deliver fun and first-rate singing workshops each week in school. Each term sees a new music project which culminates with a concert performance at the Cathedral featuring all schools .

What do the children get?

Ultimately, the chance to sing in one of the biggest and most remarkable buildling in the world. Through weekly workshops across a ten-twelve week period, children will learn between ten and twelve songs by memory. This equates to one new song in each session.

Singing is proven to help people boost their concentration and enhance levels of mental well-being. We have seen first-hand how many pupils who take part in our weekly workshops show increased focus in their work across other subjects.  

The end of the term sees all our schools brought together to perform in one of the biggest and most iconic cathedrals in the world - Liverpool Cathedral. They sing to the accompaniment of a live band or orchestral ensemble and often alongside star soloists and dancers. Being able to hear their voices echo around our amazing acoustic as they perform is simply an experience they will not forget. 

How does the programme work?

One of our professional music staff will begin running workshops in your school ten weeks prior to the performance. Workshops last 30 to 40 minutes. They'll do a vocal warm-up, teach some vocal technique and then got on to learning the music. On performance days, schools arrive at the Cathedral for 3pm to rehease with up to 250 other children and instrumentalists. The concert starts at between 6.30 and 7pm and last one hour. 

First term free

Each school coming to the Singing Programme for the first time receives one term free of charge. Schools then choose to buy into our services on a project-by-project basis.

"Our school has been taking part in the inspirational, outstanding schools’ singing programme since it began. The programme is extremely well organised and provides the children with singing experiences which they will never forget. The ten singing sessions before the concerts are fabulous because Mr Mannings is such a wonderful, energetic teacher. The concerts are an amazing experience which enable the children to showcase all their talent and newly found confidence to their families. The whole process is pure enjoyment for all involved and I can’t thank Mr Mannings enough."
Jennifer Hall (Assistant Head Teacher at Emmaus CE and Catholic Primary School, Croxteth)
"At Holy Family, we have been part of the Schools Singing Programme for a number of years, performing a wide range of musical genres. Under expert tuition from Stephen Mannings, our children’s singing abilities have improved phenomenally. Having the opportunity to receive such high quality, specialised tuition has been invaluable for both staff and children. The culmination at the end of each module in a professional concert allows the children to experience performing with a live band in front of an audience in a spectacular setting; allowing us to bring our community together as an audience. Working with such talented musicians and singers from across the city provides our children with musical role models who are certainly impacting on their aspirations. As a school, we could not recommend Mr Mannings and the program highly enough."
Liz Doherty (Y5 Teacher at Holy Family Primary School, Toxteth)
Norman Pannell primary school been involved in the schools singing programme for 5 years. Each week, our children look forward to high quality, energetic music and singing tuition from Stephen Mannings, always with the motivation of an inspirational, multi-school performance in the Cathedral as a reward for their commitment. The children gain a great deal: confidence, fun, listening skills and the discipline to learn and perform to a high standard. Our parents love the performances at the cathedral, which offers an incredible setting for our children to perform in. I would highly recommend the Schools Singing Programme!
Rob Simpson Head Teacher at Norman Pannell Primary School

Which schools have we worked with?

  • Greenbank Primary
  • Belvedere Preparatory School
  • Emmaus CE & Catholic Primary
  • Liverpool College Preparatory School
  • Mosspits Lane Primary
  • Wavertree CE Primary
  • Northway Primary
  • St Mary & St Paul’s CE Primary
  • Bellerive FCJ Catholic College
  • Norman Pannell Primary.
  • Gimour Juniors 
  • LIPA Primary
  • Garston CE Primary
  • Beford Road Community Primary
  • Bishop Martin CE Primary
  • Holy Family RC, Toxteth
  • St Cleopas CE, Toxteth
  • Knotty Ash Primary
  • Huyton with Roby, CE
  • Childwall CE Primary
  • Rudston Road Primary
  • Woolton Primary
  • Northway Primary
  • Faith Primary
  • Northwood Community Primary
  • Blacklow Brow
  • Childer Thornton
  • Blueberry Park

 

For more information, or to book your school on to the programme, please contact:
Stephen Mannings,
Director of Choral Outreach
stephen.mannings@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
(0151) 702 7234.

 

Thank you to the Allchurches Trust for their support across our Education and Outreach programmes.