“I love being a song leader.  When you have finished singing all of the kids smile”. Song Leader

Project Background
Birmingham-based Ex Cathedra is one of the UK’s finest choirs and one of the West Midlands’ flagship arts organisations.  Its award-winning education programmes have gone on to win national and international acclaim for innovation and excellence.  The heart of the programme lies in a commitment to inclusion; encouraging everyone to reach their full singing potential.

Project Details
It is a well established truth that singing is enjoyable and helps children to build confidence amongst peers.  Singing playgrounds works with these truths and has created a sustainable programme which empowers children with skills which are transferable and long lasting.  ‘Song Leaders’ are selected from within the schools and taught basic skills and techniques for engaging their school friends in singing games for the playground.  The confidence instilled translates to the classroom and beyond. 

What Was Achieved?
So far the project has benefited 2,500 primary school children.  The benefits affect the entire school with the singing games focusing on vocal skills development, musicianship, repertoire building and sharing as well as PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) development.  The skills applied to the singing games are easily transferred to the classroom environment where further benefits have been noted: universal improvements in confidence, concentration and school enjoyment have been reported.  The singing does not stop at school, as a result of Singing Playgrounds children recognise singing as an everyday event.

What Next?
Following the success of the initial Singing Communities Sandwell project (2003-2005) it was featured on Teacher’s TV; BBC3 programme The Choir and in the Times Education Suppliment. The project is currently taking place in schools in Coventry and Kingstanding (Birmingham), and is planned for a further 25 schools across the Midlands.  In the same vein as Singing Playgrounds, Ex Cathedra is now working on Singing Medicine, a project based at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Words: Lizzy King

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Notes to Editors:

1. Ex Cathedra 
   Birmingham-based Ex Cathedra is one of the UK’s finest choirs and one of the West Midlands’ flagship arts organisations, with a national and international reputation for giving performances of the highest quality in unique venues. The ensemble’s best-selling recordings for Hyperion have won widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
   Since its formation in Birmingham by Jeffrey Skidmore in 1969, Ex Cathedra has grown into a unique musical resource, comprising specialist choir, vocal consort of ten voices, period-instrument orchestra and award-winning education programme.
    
   Ex Cathedra Education
   Ex Cathedra’s education projects have received national acclaim for their innovation and excellence. At the heart of the programme lies a commitment to inclusion – from grass roots work to providing opportunities for talented young singers to realise their full potential. In addition to Singing Playgrounds, current projects include Junior Academy, Academy of Vocal Music, Singing Medicine, Ring of Sound (intergenerational choir) and numerous schools projects. Ex Cathedra’s education programme is made possible by the long term support of Sandvik UK.
    Working alongside Jeffrey Skidmore (Director of Ex Cathedra Education) and Rebecca Ledgard (Education Coordinator) is a team of vocal tutors with a vast range of skills and expertise. Amongst them are qualified teachers, professional singers, and experienced workshop leaders. All are members of Ex Cathedra.
   
   More information can be found at www.ex-cathedra.org/education.htm