Diocese of Leeds musicians are keeping singing on both the education and evangelisation agendas, with the return of their Royal Philharmonic Society Inspiration Award-winning daily YouTube singing sessions!
As soon as the new national lockdown was announced, the Diocese of Leeds Music team that brought us Hymns@Home and Carols@Home once more sprang into action. Home offices became mini-studios and once again the series of daily YouTube singing sessions went live. 
The team of expert vocal educators premiere a new ‘virtual sing’ every weekday at 2pm: fun, silliness and personality engage young learners, and each session contains a faith and music curriculum theme. There are sessions for across the primary school age-range, from Early Years to Key Stage 2, and the channel includes singing resources for older children too. During the broadcasts, which premiere at 2pm but remain available to view again, the team of Choral Directors use the ‘live chat’ to ask and answer questions about the sessions and to encourage young viewers (and their parents and carers!) in their singing.
Schools, families and education professionals have praised the innovation, style and content of the sessions. One Director of Music at a major academy has written to say, ‘I’m totally in awe of what you’re all doing at the moment – the videos are terrific’ and a parent has told the team, ‘I can’t thank you enough for the engagement and creativity and wonderful singing of your virtual singing lessons.’
So far the sessions have had more than 47,000 views, have featured twice on BBC Radio 4, and of course have won that prestigious RPS award (pipping other nominees – including Gareth Malone – to the post!)
All the sessions – including playlists of individual songs for collective worship and musical learning – are available at www.schoolssingingprogramme.org.uk
Here’s a sample of what’s in store when you subscribe to the channel on YouTube for updates on new content and to stay in touch with our Diocese of Leeds Music team …
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