GDST Juniors are bringing singing back

In February 2023, the GDST held its first ever GDST Sing Juniors concert and younger students got the chance to collaborate and learn through music.

More than 300 talented singers from eight GDST schools came together for a day of rehearsals which culminated in an evening performance for parents at Woolwich Works, London.

Coached by Music Pros

The GDST junior choristers performed Along Came Man, a children’s cantata written by composer, vocal coach and educator Lin Marsh. The performance also featured two body percussion pieces directed by Ollie Tunmer, founder and Director of Beat Goes On. Ollie is a former cast member of the hit show STOMP and a qualified secondary music teacher.

GDST Sing Juniors was organised by Ruth Coles, Head of Junior Music at Blackheath High School and, following the physical restrictions dictated by the pandemic, she wanted to bring singing back to the heart of every GDST Junior school. Ruth also wanted to give junior students who are at the beginning of their educational journeys an opportunity to learn new skills and develop teamwork alongside their peers in other GDST schools.

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Supporting Music across the GDST

The GDST Sing Juniors concert built on the success of 2022’s inaugural GDST Sing event, which saw senior students performing at the Royal Academy of Music. It also continues the GDST’s long history of supporting music across its family of 25 schools and academies.

‘Music is not only an integral part of our daily lives, but a way for us to help our younger pupils to experiment, grow together, and – just perhaps – discover an instrument that will become their lifelong passion’ – GDST Chief Executive Cheryl Giovannoni.

GDST Chief Executive Cheryl Giovannoni said: ‘Coming together and learning through music always provides our students with a joyful occasion to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves in different ways. Music is not only an integral part of our daily lives, but a way for us to help our younger pupils to experiment, grow together, and – just perhaps – discover an instrument that will become their lifelong passion.’

Students from Blackheath High School, Bromley High School, Croydon High School, Kensington Prep School, Portsmouth High School, Putney High School, Sutton High School and Sydenham High School took part in the GDST Sing Juniors concert.

 

Watch the GDST Sing video

 

Other cross-Trust GDST events

As a family of 25 schools and academies, the GDST runs a number of cross Trust events and competitions throughout the year. From STEM, including the GDST Space Technology Diploma Day; to sport, such as GDST cricket match at South Hampstead cricket club; to business, like the Lead Showcase series in which GDST Students come come together to present ideas, mentored by alumni, and judged by entrepreneurs and experts.