Primary Four pupils from every school in the city are busy rehearsing for Aberdeen Big Sing 2024, which will be held at the Duthie Park later this month.
Councillors Martin Greig and Jessica Mennie, Beth Edwards, music co-ordinator, and Alisdair Sneden, music instructor from Aberdeen Music School, joined pupils from Gilcomstoun, Hanover Street, and Skene Square schools in preparation for the primary four Big Sing event at Duthie Park on 22 May. Image by Norman Adams, Aberdeen City Council.
Aberdeen Big Sing 2024 is a celebration event that will bring 3,000 pupils together to sing as one large choir. The choir will perform six songs, accompanied by a pipe band, live orchestra and Ashley Road Woodwind Group, from 11.30am until 12pm on Wednesday 22 May.
The children have been taught the songs for the event by Aberdeen City Council’s Music Service specialist vocal team. Members of the team have been visiting schools since August 2023 with their time funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “The Big Sing is an excellent opportunity for Primary Four pupils from across the city to gather and enjoy the wonderful experience of singing together. The rehearsals have been going very well. The Big Sing is going to be a tremendous musical event for everyone involved. Families and friends will have a great time listening to the lovely sound from the young people. Music making is a great way to bring people together."
Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Aberdeen Big Sing 2024 is going to be amazing. It’s clear from the enjoyment of the faces of the young children rehearsing that they are thoroughly enjoying the experience. It’s not only good for their overall health and wellbeing it will be an uplifting experience for everyone hearing the choir perform. I’m sure for the pupils involved it could lead to a lifelong interest in music. It might even lead to some to want to have a future in music.”
Youth Music Initiative Manager at Creative Scotland, Morag Macdonald, said: “The Big Sing provides a magical opportunity for children to come together with their peers to celebrate the joy of music making with support from their family and friends. It’s an unforgettable and formative experience for participants, demonstrating the impact of music and creativity on young people. These opportunities are made possible with continued support from the Scottish Government and those in the local authority who have put in a huge amount of work to make this possible.”
The songs for Aberdeen Big Sing 2024 are themed around joy, friendship and Scotland as music brings people joy and is a great way to bring people together.
An estimated 3,000 family members and friends of the young singers are expected to attend. Anyone who wishes to attend is advised that seating will not be provided at this event.
Background
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
The Youth Music Initiative is a music education programme with a vision to put music at the heart of young people’s lives and learning funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland. Since its establishment in 2007 the programme has distributed over £159 million, transforming music learning facilities for children and young people across the country. You can find out more about the programme on the Creative Scotland website.