Pupils hit high notes in singing battle

Youngsters were in fine voice as they battled to be named winner in a Black Country singing contest.

Pupils from more than 40 schools have been taking turns to show off their talents at the inaugural Walsall Primary Schools’ Singing Festival. The Forest Arts Centre in Leamore has been a hive of activity all week with hundreds of children taking to the stage.

This week’s polished performances have taken weeks of preparation, with the children spending hours in the classroom practising and taking part in music projects.

A total of 42 schools are involved in the programme, at the centre in Hawbush Road, which will end tomorrow. Pupils sang Creatures of the Deep and Rollerghoster.

Yesterday’s show saw Pheasey Park Farm Primary, St Giles CE Primary, Leighswood School and Harden Primary School perform.

Harden Primary School performed Heatwave and Dreamer.

The choir’s leader Zoe Linzi said: “It was a great day, the children all throughly enjoyed it and we are looking forward to next year’s festival. It was a really good experience even though we were a small and relatively new choir.”

Sarah Inglis, Forest Arts Centre vocal and choral leader, said: “The atmosphere at the singing festival is fun, creative and supportive. The schools are exceeding our expectations and the event is going really well.”

Yesterday’s winner was Leighswood School in Aldridge, whose pupils will go into a final with other top choirs with a winner to be announced by judges.

They have been singing under the watchful eye of guest adjudicator Kevin Stannard senior music lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton. He is a vocal specialist and author of the Junior Voiceworks series of teaching resources.

The borough’s Roman Catholic primaries, including St Patrick’s based in Blue Lane East, Walsall are due to take to the stage today.

All the schools will be presented with a silver participation certificate and each performance will receive comments and written feedback from Mr Stannard.

A gold certificate of outstanding performance will be awarded to the best choir in each performance session which is attended by four schools at a time.

The best choir will be presented with the new Walsall Primary Schools’ Singing Festival trophy.