St Columba’s Catholic Primary School

Young Voices Concert 2017 , Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

On Tuesday 10th January 2017 we took at group of 21 KS2 boys and girls from school to Sheffield Arena to perform in the Young Voices choir.  This is a massed children’s choir made up of children from schools across the Yorkshire region (it claims to be the largest children’s choir in the world and we can believe it – the number of pupils was over 5000 that night!).  We’d been rehearsing since September (in and among lots of Christmas concerts and carol singing) and the children had put an incredible amount of work in. They had learned a very extensive range of songs, in different languages, including some sign language and dance moves too!

We ate our packed lunches on the bus, in between some last minute singing and arrived at the arena in time to find our seating section, before rehearsal at 2pm. We spent most of the afternoon in rehearsal.  It was fantastic to see the children enjoying singing with a full band and conductor David Lawrence, for the first time. We even got a glimpse of our ‘nutty’ hero Andy the dance man who taught us our dance moves via video.

The concert itself was spectacular.  The opening sequence involved an amazing street dance performance from Urban Strides.  Throughout the evening the children’s choir was joined by special guests and soloists.  Firstly, former X Factor contestant Tabby Callaghan who sang some familiar rock songs alongside a new track composed specially for Young Voices.  We were also joined by jazz singer Natalie Williams who sang the Nina Simone favourite ‘I Got Life.’

There was a stand out and unique performance from beatbox group The Beatbox Collective entitled ‘A Day in the Life of a Beatboxer.’  It was wonderful for the children to be able to perform alongside these artists and groups.

A wide selection of music was on the programme including; British Folk songs, rock and pop music, African three part harmony singing, jazz, an a Capella number ‘Sing’ made famous by the Pentatonix, and ‘Stronger Together’ which was originally sung by Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir.

It was the most amazing time, despite the long day and late return to school, it was worth all the hard work. Massive thanks to all the adults and children who made it possible.