ONE THOUSAND school children from East Lancashire came together at the weekend for two spectacular concerts at King George’s Hall.

The children, aged between seven and 11 and from 29 primary schools, sang Disney classics, pop songs and two and three-part arrangements in the Sing Together concert organised by Blackburn Cathedral.

They had all learnt their parts in school with help from their teachers and the project leaders, and the performances on Saturday and Sunday were the first time they had all performed together.

Alicia, 11, from Meadowhead Junior School, in Mill Hill, Blackburn said: “I loved the concert and the singing because all the songs are so cheerful.”

Tyler, 7, who attends Mount Pleasant Primary School in Clayton-le-Moors, said: “I liked the songs we sing and you don’t get laughed at here for singing. It makes me really happy.”

Teacher Natalie McNeill, from Meadowhead, said: “This is a fantastic project because of the quality of the music and the standard of the singing.

“The leaders are quite aspirational for the children and give them direction in their singing.”

The project is led by Jeff Borradaile, the conductor of Blackburn People’s Choir, and Gill Fourie, head of the cathedral’s music outreach programme.

It started five years ago as part of the Government’s Sing Up initiative to raise participation in singing at primary schools.

Gill said: “This is a life-changing experience for the children involved. I particularly enjoy seeing all the schools come together for the final concert.

“Our emphasis is on quality teaching and singing, giving children the necessary technical skills. From an adult point of the view what the children achieve is so impressive. They are able to sing 16 songs from memory and will put on a fantastically musical concert.”