Academic research projects and anecdotal evidence from classrooms point to the many benefits of singing, including improvements to self-esteem, well-being, focus and academic achievement. Despite these benefits, many schools struggle to factor regular singing and music into the school day, with resources and confidence among teachers lacking greatly.
Cyrilla Rowsell, of the Phoenix Collective, outlines the problems many schools face when they try to increase singing in the classroom: ‘All teachers feel able to teach subjects such as literacy or numeracy, because they have experienced these themselves. However, very few have a high level – or even any level – of musical training, so they immediately feel insecure and unsure. It is such a practical subject that it is almost impossible to learn from a book, as you might do with other subjects.’ Rowsell believes that, ‘even a small amount of training can open the eyes and ears and minds of staff who find themselves amazed at what they and their pupils, can achieve. Singing is all-inclusive – everyone can do it, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity and a host of other things which can create differences. It binds all together in a shared, common, uplifting experience.’
It is this common and shared experience that organisations such as the Voices Foundation also wish to promote. Set-up in 1993, the foundation provides training and campaigns for more singing in schools. The headteacher of the Ingoldsby Academy, that worked with the Voices Foundation writes, ‘The Singing School programme has been one of the best things we've ever done. Our reading results for the EYFS are the highest they've ever been by a huge margin. It has supported the children academically, and boosted their memory and sequencing, as well as their confidence and wellbeing’
Examples such as these highlight the positive changes that singing can bring. For Roswell, in all stems from motivation: ‘Motivation is everything’ she tells me, ‘staff need to be fully aware of all the benefits – social, emotional, physical and intellectual. Not nurturing the artistic, emotional and creative side to human nature is to do the children in our care a disservice.’
Adults on board
Creating a singing culture within a school, however, is about more than just encouraging the children. The Voices Foundation believe it is tantamount, ‘that staff and the school governance understand why singing and music making are so important for the development of young people. Though the thought of singing may initially strike fear into the heart of the most experienced and enthusiastic teacher, their willingness to “give it a go” for the sake of their pupils is a real motivation for increasing singing and music making at school.’
The Voices Foundation often works directly with schools, using a teacher development model as its guide. ‘We work side-by-side,’ it says, ‘with teachers and pupils in the classroom. Our process results in the development of teachers’ confidence and skills which ultimately means the school can then continue to deliver the work themselves without our help.’
As well as having practitioners working in the schools, there are a number of resources available. The Voices Foundation has produced the ‘Inside Music’ scheme which supports singing-based musical learning from Early Years until the end of Key Stage 2. It also has a free resource, ‘Songs of Home’, which comprises of folk songs from around the world, as well as a new commission – ‘Song of Until’ by David Bruce. There is also the ‘Jolly Music’ curriculum, which Rowsell describes as ‘progressive’ in its structure. ‘It will guide teachers and children,’ she says, helping them to ‘acquire musical skills and knowledge’ as well as ‘an understanding of singing and movement, from Reception to Year 4 or 5.’
A popular resource, initially funded by the UK government, is Sing Up which provides an in-depth song bank of more than 850 songs to support singing in the classroom, suitable up to Key Stage 3. Another recommended resource is Snape Maltings’ Friday Afternoons project, which has an exciting modern-day song bank inspired by Benjamin Britten and commissions new repertoire every year for children's voices.
Schedule it in
Finding the time within a busy school day has proven to be a challenge for schools, however the Voices Foundation points out that singing can be combined with other daily activities.
‘Just five to ten minutes of singing every day can be transformative. Teachers can sing with their children when they're lining up, or walking through the corridors, or to calm down and refocus before a lesson. Routine songs become part of behaviour management and encourage staff to set a model of regular singing. Other singing times can include weekly singing assemblies, choirs (including staff and parent choirs), class assemblies and shows. Having positive role models within the school staff is vital to nurturing a singing culture, whether they have training in music or not.’
Another tip for success is to begin singing with children as early as possible. Rowsell notes: ‘Children are natural imitators and they will learn to sing in the same way they learned to speak. Young children are also far less inhibited than older ones – and they love and want to please their teacher – so will very easily and quickly start singing.’
The Voices Foundation agrees with Rowsell: ‘Singing is a primal sound, hardwired into our very core as human beings. Everyone has the potential to use their voice musically. Younger children find singing easily accessible and enjoy it! Encouraging younger children to sing can better their musical and creative potential, alongside cognitive development, social interaction, academic achievement, emotional wellbeing and encourages aspirations.’
Both organisations believe that singing makes for a positive school environment. ‘A school where everyone sings easily and naturally and where singing is just a normal thing to do,’ says Rowsell, ‘is a happy, happy place to be.’ This chimes with the Voices Foundation mantra: ‘singing together is joyful; it enables us to escape our day to day worries while creating something beautiful and expressive. Everyone has a voice and it's the one instrument you don't have to pay for!’
Visit thephoenixcollective.co.uk, voices.org.uk, singup.org and fridayafternoonsmusic.co.uk for more information.
