NUNNEY FIRST SCHOOL CHOIR, September 2005 – Present Day

 

 

 

The School Choir is now in its fifth year. Led by Sarah Jones – Music Subject Leader – the choir sings a wide variety of songs that enable its members to experience singing in unison, singing in two, three and even four parts (both ‘rounds’ and ‘partner songs’) and ‘a cappella’ (unaccompanied). The principal aim of the choir is enjoyment, so that children learn to enjoy the art of singing – ‘Singing for Pleasure’ – but sessions are also geared towards performances in the local church for Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter – hence, this after-school activity is seen very much as a form of curriculum enrichment, which helps to develop and extend pupils’ vocal skills (whatever their starting point) and in so doing, to further their progress as vocalists. Thus, pupils are taught how to use their voices in different ways, not just in terms of their pitch and dynamics (volume control), but also in terms of their expression, their pronunciation, their annunciation and also the way they deliver or present each song – Is it a lively song, a sad song …? In addition, the children are introduced to harmonies of varying difficulty, whilst the more confident singers are given opportunities to sing with a microphone in a small group, with a partner and even as a soloist. Our repertoire varies greatly and has included well known and challenging choral pieces sung in Latin, traditional descants, much loved songs, popular ‘classics’ and of course, material written specifically for young choirs and primary school children.