At the end of November/beginning of December we were delighted to be able to bring back some live singing to Lewisham with our annual series of singing concerts, Turning of the Year! After not being able to run live events for 2 years, it was emotional to say the least!
Over 3 nights we welcomed around 30 schools and just under 1000 young singers to the stage at Blackheath Halls. Schools sang individual pieces as well as combining to sing as a massed choir, bringing the crowds everything from Marvin Gaye to Katy Perry to traditional Swahili, and of course some of those Christmas classics, Feliz Navidad, White Christmas and I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, all under the expert guidance of our fantastic Vocal Leader, Clare Caddick, who had been tirelessly travelling around the borough visiting every school over the past few months!
Seeing all of those smiles and flapping arms on stage as well as all the dropped jaws and dance moves in the crowd, it really highlighted just how important live events are! We definitely witnessed a few stars in the making!
Here’s some amazing feedback we received…
“My daughter was singing with Dalmain choir and she was almost too nervous to come. She is autistic and very full of worry and low self-esteem at the moment. To see her singing her heart out, and so happy, meant the world to me. ‘I can’t stop smiling mum’ she said afterwards. What a treat to be able to do this kind of event again after so long.”
“We’ve never seen our child perform before in a setting like this, and it was magical to see her face full of happiness. It will live with us forever, as we’re sure it will live with our daughter. She’s already really excited for the next one.”
“The concerts were perfect in every way, and in my child’s words ‘singing and music is great for happiness’. Thank you soooo much.”
“The event was a fantastic opportunity for the children to perform in front of a large audience and also to see the high standards of other performances from other schools.”
“Events like Turning of the Year make the children so confident and proud of themselves, it also keeps their brains occupied and they have a chance to make new friends!”
If you came along to any of the concerts then we’d still love to know your thoughts, please click the button below and answer a few questions. Many thanks.
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Massive thanks
MASSIVE THANKS to everyone involved in making the events happen. Firstly Clare, we just don’t know how she does it, great in the lead up, and even better on the nights! Then everyone from the team at Lewisham Music, to the staff at Blackheath Halls, to the band, to all the parents/carers, to everyone in the audience, and of course to all the great young singers, but most importantly all the fantastic choir leaders, teachers and support staff from all the schools, they are truly EPIC!
Here are a few photos
