HUNDREDS of Solihull children raised the roof of Solihull School’s Bushell Hall auditorium.
More than 340 pupils in Years 3 to 5 from six schools across the borough came together for Solihull Sings – a large-scale community project led by Solihull Preparatory School’s Head of Music, Jenna Sainsbury.
The project involved a series of four to five singing workshops delivered by Jenna at each participating school during the run-up to the final event.
Children from Bentley Heath Church of England Primary Academy, St Alphege C of E Junior School, Dickens Heath Community Primary School, Greswold Primary School, George Fentham Endowed School and Solihull Prep School then joined forces for two celebratory concerts.
The concerts celebrated not only musical achievement, but also the power of singing to build confidence, teamwork and community connections.
For many of the children involved, it was their first opportunity to perform in a large-scale concert venue.
Jenna said: “Despite having just one hour to rehearse together on the day itself, the children delivered two vibrant performances full of energy.
“Solihull Sings has been such a joyful project to lead. Watching children from different schools come together through music, grow in confidence and perform with such enthusiasm has been incredibly special. The atmosphere in the Bushell Hall during both concerts was fantastic, and I couldn’t have been prouder of what the children achieved.”
“The emotional impact of the project was also clear to families attending the performances, with one parent commenting afterwards that it was the first ever time her son had shown ‘genuine joy about being on stage’.”
Solihull Sings forms part of Solihull School’s wider outreach work within the local community, creating opportunities for children from different schools to collaborate, develop musical skills and experience performing together in a professional concert setting.
Solihull School hopes to continue developing and expanding the Solihull Sings project in future years.
