SCHOOLS' PROJECT PERFORMANCES AT 33 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND CITY CELEBRATION DAY
This spring we brought our latest schools' concert, The Tale of The Whale, to young people at 25 Peterborough Primary Schools and 8 in Fenland. We then performed the concert at Peterborough's outdoor festival, Peterborough Celebrates, alongside pupils from five of the schools. Rachel Moorhouse, Music Lead at William Law CE Primary School, writes about the experience and the impact on her and her pupils.
Britten Sinfonia have again surpassed themselves with another fantastic, engaging musical experience for primary school children.
The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann, with a strong message about looking after our environment, was the most perfect story to springboard the interactive 2026 project.
The teachers initially met for two CPD sessions, where we met the composer (Raph Clarkson), presenter (Sheena Masson) and percussionist (Owen Gunnell). We were supported in developing musicianship skills which could be applied to all classroom music lessons, learning the songs and even developing ideas for part of the composition.
These CPD sessions were not only fun but started the journey of engagement in the story, dance and music.
The incredible wealth of resources available online to support teachers was of such high-quality – a real "treasure chest". Learning videos, audio tracks, cross curricular activities and the teachers pack made accessibility and delivery in the classroom no problem. By featuring the presenter and percussionist in the videos, who then performed 'live' at the concert, gave the children a real sense of stardom, familiarity and cohesion – a wow factor.
This online resources also allowed our children to engage with the materials at home.
By the time the performance day arrived the school was buzzing about The Tale of the Whale. Music was not only visible around school – it could be heard all around it!
The songs and dances were both memorable and fun to perform, skilfully written for the primary age children. Catchy 'ear-worms' crafted within complex rhythms and harmonies, clearly illustrating each section, enabling the children to follow the narrative within a musical performance.
A lasting impact for us has been the blossoming confidence children have shown in creating and being part of the performance. As the event justifiably claims, "The children are not just the audience – they are an important part of the team."
By composing an integrated section in the concert for children to play their own recycled instruments alongside the professional musicians, the message of their value in the performance was evident.
Children who are sometimes reticent to join in; children who have yet to find their voice; children who are only just starting their musical journey were spotted totally immersed in the lead up lessons and then on the performance day.
The enjoyment and sense of pride the children have shared with their teachers and parents has been wonderful to see and is something that can never be measured. Their curiosity in seeing "real" instruments will hopefully spark a new generation of musicians.
The amazingly high-quality music-making Britten Sinfonia brings to young people in schools year after year is incredible. Not only do these events play a vital role in children’s personal, social, and academic development, they create opportunities for students to experience the joy of performance, build confidence, and express creativity in a supportive environment. Importantly, these events cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the arts, enriching our schools culture and bringing the wider community together.
The performance at Peterborough Celebrates was made possible by co-funding from Peterborough Music Hub, Peterborough Cultural Alliance and Nene Park Trust.
