Solihull School
Last month, more than 340 children from schools across the Solihull area came together for Solihull Sings - a large-scale community project led by Solihull Preparatory School’s Head of Music, Miss Jenna Sainsbury.
On 20 May, pupils in Years 3 to 5 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 joined forces for two celebratory concerts in the Bushell Hall on the Senior School campus.
The project involved a series of four to five singing workshops delivered by Miss Sainsbury at each participating school during the run-up to the final event. In total, 183 children performed in the morning concert, with a further 165 taking part in the afternoon session.
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 Sainsbury 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.”
Greswold Primary School teachers commented: "This was a fantastic experience which brought to life the joy of singing to a live audience for the children. Pupils who don't normally stand out really rose to the occasion. It was lovely to see."
Solihull Sings forms part of Solihull'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.