More than 200 London schoolchildren raise the roof in landmark choral celebration

The performance on Wednesday 29th April brought together pupils from our Music Partnership schools - a network of eleven Diocese of London primary schools supported by our Schools Choral Partnerships Programme - and singers from the City of London Schools’ Camerata. Working weekly with our musicians in classrooms across the capital, the programme delivers more than 50 singing sessions per week to around 2,000 children and nurtures musical literacy, confidence, and wellbeing through sustained, high-quality choral training. 

The young singers, many of whom were performing at St Paul’s for the first time, served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of equal access to the arts. The performance marks part of our commitment to nurture love of music and inspire the next generation of choral singers. 

Our Schools Choral Partnerships Programme works with schools in areas of high need, embedding professional music-making into everyday school life. Through weekly sessions led by our very own musicians, children develop vocal technique, listening skills, teamwork, and self-belief - benefits that extend far beyond the music itself.

William Bruce, Artistic Director of Choral Partnerships, said: 

“Singing has the power to help children find their voice, building confidence, and creating a sense of belonging. Tonight’s performance is the result of months of work in our Choral Partner Schools, and it shows what can be achieved when young people are given the opportunity to sing, learn, and perform together.” 

“Performances such as this offer students a powerful sense of achievement, while also shining a light on the importance of sustained investment in music education at a time when access to the arts remains unequal. We are always looking to expand our offering to more schools and invite any teacher looking to enrich children’s lives through music to get in touch.”

Lucy Blewett, Headteacher of St Matthias CE Primary School Stoke Newington, a partner school, added: 

“Through taking part in the Programme, we have seen a profound impact on our children’s learning, their wellbeing, and their sense of what they can achieve when they work together. The impact has reverberated far outside of the music classroom and I would urge all schools to put music education at the heart of curriculum, not just as an add on.”