Broadfield pupils shine as part of the 'Manchester Sings' festival

Children from Broadfield Primary School in Oldham recently joined pupils from six other schools across Greater Manchester to perform together in an uplifting festival of music and poetry, held in the spectacular setting of Manchester Cathedral.

Thirty Broadfield Year 5 pupils had been busy rehearsing for several months in readiness for Manchester Sings - the third event of its kind organised by Fallowfield-based Withington Girls’ School - but this was the first time that all 230 children from participating schools had united to perform as a single massed choir.

Children from Broadfield Primary were joined by singers from St Luke’s CofE Primary (Bury), Whitefield Community Primary and Manchester schools, St Kentigern’s RC Primary, Wilbraham Primary, St Margaret’s CofE Primary and Withington Girls’ School.

All participants donned colourful t-shirts for the occasion and with happy, beaming smiles and great gusto, they performed a harmonious and often rousing medley of songs, interwoven with readings written by pupils, inspired by the theme ‘We’re all in this together’.

The Cathedral was filled with families, friends and invited guests, who included the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mrs Diane Hawkins DL JP, and the Lord Mayor of the City of Manchester, Councillor Donna Ludford.

Mrs Ria Drabble, a Year 5 teacher at Broadfield, who has worked alongside Withington’s Director of Music and Manchester Sings organiser Mrs Gilly Sargent with three different classes since the project was launched in 2019, said: “Manchester Sings provides our children with an invaluable opportunity to be part of something so much bigger than themselves.

"They feel an enormous sense of pride when they attend Manchester Sings, pride at representing both their school and their town.

"They see themselves as part of a larger community, working with a common goal, and they get to feel the exhilaration of performing to a large crowd of people.

"Over the rehearsal period, it has been an absolute pleasure to see them grow in both confidence and enthusiasm for the music we have rehearsed.”

Broadfield pupils also spoke of their involvement in the event.

"I really enjoyed Manchester Sings - my favourite song was We're all in this together," said Stephen, while Falak said: "Manchester Sings was a lot of fun, and I liked singing with the other schools as a big team."

Withington’s Mrs Sargent, who has led rehearsals at each of the schools over the past few months, explained that this year’s theme had been chosen as a reminder of the strength of community and the need to support each other through challenging times.

“It is, however, a story with a message of hope,” she said.

“Everyone has a voice, every voice has a song and as always, this has been a musical journey for all the children involved.”

Manchester Sings is an annual event that aims to give children from across Greater Manchester the opportunity to celebrate community and the power of song.

Funds raised during the event and via online donations go to help the Booth Centre and Wood Street Mission.

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