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Part of the National Schools Singing Programme; our Schools Singing Programme was established in January 2022 and now delivers weekly singing sessions to over 5,000 children each week in 42 schools across the archdiocese.
Our programme seeks to evangelise the young people of our schools by showing them the beauty, goodness and truth of Jesus Christ and his Church, in order to prepare them for their future role in society.
The Schools Singing Programme is rooted in evangelisation of young people, contributing to the Catholic Life of our schools through education, enrichment and opportunity. Our work brings thousands of children to the Metropolitan Cathedral to lead the music in services and concerts each year, including massed choirs of 800-1,000 pupils for the annual Schools Advent Service and Good Shepherd Mass. Our area choirs also take young people out into local parish churches to lead liturgies and contribute to vibrant parish life.
Our Choral Directors deliver weekly singing sessions in schools and have developed a scheme of work for all pupils from EYFS to Year 6, based on the Model Music Curriculum and working towards principles set out in the National Plan for Music Education. The Schools Singing Programme aims to aid evangelisation through a love of singing and performing sacred and secular music across the archdiocese. Schools are often invited to take part in large services at the Cathedral and can even enter the SSP Award Scheme to be formally recognised and celebrated for the Catholic musical life of their school.
School Leader? Express an interest in joining the Schools Singing Programme here: Archdiocese of Liverpool Schools Singing Programme - Form by Asana
Children who take a particular interest in singing are given the opportunity to join an area choir made up of like-minded students from schools in their area. The SSP have now established four area choirs - Knowsley, Liverpool Central, Liverpool South and Widnes Catholic Children's Choirs. The area choirs sing regularly at parishes in their local communities, sing for concert audiences of up to 2,000 in the Cathedral and beyond, go on daytrips to other dioceses, sing for community and charity events and even appear as the headline act for award ceremonies!
If you would like to sign your child up for one of our Area Choirs, please follow this link: Archdiocese of Liverpool Music Department
"The Schools Singing Programme has had a truly remarkable impact on our school community. The buzz in the school is palpable; you can feel the excitement as children eagerly engage with sessions. It's a joy to witness so many more children joining in singing activities, creating a vibrant celebration of music.
Each year, we’ve had to increase our involvement… the programme is not just a passing trend; it's becoming an integral part of our school culture. Younger year groups, in particular, have developed a better understanding of the scriptures, as they can relate to the hymns they know, making the messages more accessible and meaningful to them. Overall, the Schools Singing Programme has truly enriched the lives of students and staff alike at St Albert's."
Mrs Lorraine McEvoy - Headteacher of St Albert’s CPS
"For the children who attend the Catholic Schools in Widnes, the Singing Programme has truly been amazing! ...It is truly a blessing in our community." Fr Mark Moran, Parish Priest of St Wilfrid, Widnes
"The amazing Schools Singing Programme gave my daughter so much confidence throughout her primary school years. She gained a great passion for singing in school sessions which led to her joining Knowsley Catholic Children’s Choir... and her development here was amazing. She is now a full-time Cathedral Chorister. It’s been a great overall experience." Parent of Schools Singing Programme pupil
