Broadfield Primary pupils join amazing massed choir event at Manchester Cathedral
Date published: 04 December 2024
Broadfield children are pictured singing along in their maroon t-shirts
Children from Broadfield Primary in Oldham joined pupils from six other schools across the Greater Manchester area as they celebrated the joy of music and poetry in the spectacular setting of the city’s Cathedral.
The group of 44 Broadfield pupils, all from Year 5, were amongst a group of more than 200 children who had come together for the first time at this year’s Manchester Sings event to perform as a single massed choir, delivering an unforgettable and heart-warming concert before an audience of families, friends and invited dignitaries.
There were many happy smiles as the participating children – all wearing colourful t-shirts (Broadfield in Maroon) – captured perfectly the event’s theme of ‘the Joy of Music’ with a medley of cheerful upbeat songs which included the rousing singalong anthem ‘Sweet Caroline’, the iconic ‘Do-Re-Mi’, the tuneful harmonies of ‘Thank you for the Music’ and as a fitting finale, a jubilant rendition of Kool and the Gang’s ‘Celebration’.
A selection of poetry, written and read by pupils from across the school groups, showcased the children’s impressive literary talents and demonstrated how they had fully embraced the spirit of the event.
One of Broadfield’s poems, ‘Music Fills Our Hearts With Joy’, included the uplifting words, “Music is a playground of peace. It fills our world with joy. A place to escape. A sunshine that warms us all.”
Speaking after the event, Broadfield’s Year 5 teachers Mrs Tracy Haughton, Miss Laura Thirsk and Mrs Sarah Jones were delighted that the children’s enthusiasm and hard work over the previous weeks had paid off, resulting in a stunning performance on the day.
They spoke of their pupils’ excitement at being involved in Manchester Sings, now an annual pre-Christmas calendar highlight and the fifth of its kind.
“This was a truly inclusive occasion as every child in Year 5 was able to participate, perform and enjoy this most wonderful event,” said Mrs Haughton.
The Oldham school had performed alongside pupils from Whitefield Community Primary, Old Moat Primary (Withington), St Kentigern’s RC Primary (Fallowfield), St Luke’s Cof E Primary (Bury), West Didsbury C of E Primary and Manchester-based Withington Girls’ Junior and Senior Schools, whose Director of Music Gilly Sargent is also the event’s Choir Director.
Event organiser, Mrs Sargent, who visited each school fortnightly from September and guided the choirs through rehearsals, spoke of the hard work the children had each put in to deliver a concert filled with joy and hope.
She said: “To be there in the Cathedral, working with these young children as they sang in front of a large audience that included their families and friends, was an absolute privilege.
"The buzz of excitement and the atmosphere of pure joy and jubilation during the event was palpable.
"From meeting these young people at the start of this musical journey to watching them perform so brilliantly together as a single massed choir with children they had never met before, has been inspirational.”
“The idea behind Manchester Sings has always been to give the opportunity for children and young people from across Greater Manchester to come together to celebrate music and the power of song in a spectacular and historic venue in the heart of our great city.
"Ever since the inaugural event in 2019, we have selected songs for each performance that have told a meaningful story.
"This year, through the theme ‘The Joy of Music’, we are reminded of the magic and importance of music and song. Everyone has a voice, every voice has a song."
Local dignitaries in attendance were the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mrs Diane Hawkins (former Withington Girls’ School pupil and current Governor), The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Dr Eamonn O’Neal DL and his wife Mrs Sheila O’Neal, The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Paul Andrews, and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Karen Andrews.
The welcome speech was given by Canon Dr Ian Jorysz, Canon Precentor at Manchester Cathedral.
Funds raised during Manchester Sings will go to homeless charity The Booth Centre and the Wood Street Mission which helps local families living in poverty.
The event was kindly sponsored by Beaverbrooks, The Jewellers.
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