Singing Communities

Main aims

Singing Communities provided a range of exciting singing opportunities for young people and other members of their communities. The work was concentrated in areas suffering particular deprivation and formed part of local regeneration efforts. Along with schools, youth and community groups were involved, as well as arts providers, local festivals and animateurs. Secondary schools ran the young arts leader award, which encourages young people to develop their artistic skill and to share this with others.

Size and duration

We worked in small communities in Sandwell, Dorset, Isle of Wight, Cumbria, Hartlepool and Derby. Each community had a different number of schools involved. Secondary schools worked with their associated primary schools and made links with other local groups involved in the project. The project started in September 2003 and ran for 2 years.

Highlights

These singing projects challenged, enthused and inspired people in their communities to work together. Singing is uniquely pleasurable. In fact, it's impossible to sing and stay miserable! This project aimed to make a real difference to the way people felt about their local communities. A wide variety of singing styles and genres was embraced so that the diverse cultural profiles of each community was reflected in their programmes.

Funding

Youth Music funded the project, which was delivered by Young Choirs in partnership with ContinYou, as well as other supporting partners within each locality.

Free resource

Singing for Success and the five activity sheets comprise a practical guide for anyone interested in setting up and running singing groups for young people, whether at a breakfast club, lunchtime or after-school club, in a youth or community centre, or place of worship. The ideas and suggestions can be adapted to suit a wide age range.

The materials you will find here have been developed as a result of the Singing Communities project.

Download Singing for Success (PDF file, 1.65 MB) and the activity sheets (PDF file, 188 KB).

For more information, email Tony Apicella.