MusicShare

MusicShare is a partnership between Lichfield Cathedral School, Lichfield Cathedral and The Music Partnership. Since it began in 2003, more than 25,000 pupils in 500 schools across the West Midlands have benefitted from this unique programme. Today, we work with around 100 primary, secondary and special schools and Pupil Referral Units per year, bringing the joy of singing to thousands of children and young adults.

‘A good musical education, with singing at its heart,
should, in my opinion, be the birth-right of every child.’
Cathy Lamb, Director of MusicShare

How we work

Through a mixture of core projects and one-off workshops, MusicShare staff teach children healthy, quality singing through learning repertoire (popular songs, classical and choral works) in preparation for a performance in front of an audience of family, friends and the local community. These performances are often in the Cathedral, but we also perform in many other venues, such as in secondary schools collaborating with their feeder primary schools. We often take Young Singing Leaders (many of whom are choristers and former choristers) out to schools to demonstrate what can be achieved by children their own age who work hard, rehearse regularly and focus themselves on becoming highly proficient musicians. We also offer a huge bank of music resources for Early Years to Key Stage 5 including teaching videos, new songs, sheet music and backing tracks, plus CPD videos for teachers.

Impact

“It was with pleasure that I accepted an invitation for my school to be one of the first to take part in MusicShare back in 2005. The children loved it and, as Head teacher, I saw the educational value this gave the children. Concentration, listening skills, team spirit, a love of singing – in which everyone could participate but above all the feeling of achievement when more than one school combined to create a large chorus able to perform in such a grand setting.” Philip Such, former Head Teacher, Greenways Primary and long-term MusicShare volunteer

“The effect on those involved in MusicShare, pupils, teachers and parents has been profound. Levels of achievement have risen due to the quality of the provision and the commitment of the deliverers. Every school should have the opportunity to be involved in projects such as MusicShare”. Jennifer Mason, Senior Music Consultant, Entrust Music Service Staffordshire

How we are funded

MusicShare is hugely grateful for the financial support of The Music Partnership which enables our work to develop and expand. We would also like to express our gratitude to Lichfield Conduit Lands Trust, for their support of our Mini, Young & Youth Voices choirs during the pandemic. We have great ambitions and there are many ways we would like to expand the programme to reach even more children. If you are interested in supporting MusicShare, please contact us.

Other elements of MusicShare

Mini Voices - ages 0-5

Mini Voices is a weekly music group run by a highly experienced music teacher, focused on learning the basic building blocks of music that are pulse, rhythm and pitch. We are currently meeting on a Monday morning 10-11am with time for chat afterwards in the Explorer Hut, off Shaw Lane, in Beacon Park, Lichfield. The charge is £40 per term or £4.50 per session.

Contact MusicShare on musicshare@lichfieldcathedralschool.com to find out more or join this group.

Toddler Rhyme Time - ages 0-5

Toddler Rhyme Time is a free weekly informal sing-along session for toddlers and their parents held on Tuesdays, 9.30am to 10.30am at the Longdon site.

Contact Admissions on 01543 306168 or admissions@lichfieldcathedralschool.com if you are interested in joining this group.

Young Voices - ages 6-11

Young Voices is a non-audition community choir created for children who enjoy singing with others and want to learn a wide range of music. Over the years, the choir has had the opportunity to sing in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Symphony Hall Birmingham; and regularly in Lichfield Cathedral. We are currently rehearsing on a Monday afternoon 4.30-5.30pm in or near the Cathedral Close. The charge is £40 for 10 sessions per term.

Contact MusicShare on 07938 871 682 or musicshare@lichfieldcathedralschool.com to find out more or join this group.

Youth Voices - ages 12-18

Youth Voices is also a non-audition community choir for young people that undertakes a wide repertoire and regularly performs at the Cathedral, at venues across the diocese and beyond. The most recent trip was to sing Evensong at Merton College, Oxford. We are currently rehearsing on a Saturday morning 10.30-11.30am in the Cathedral Close. The charge is £40 for 10 sessions per term.

Contact MusicShare on 07938 871 682.

Ladies Who Lark - ages 18+

Ladies Who Lark is a group of women who meet weekly to enjoy the many benefits of singing. We sing a wide range of repertoire from jazz to classical, from folk to songs from the shows. We are currently rehearsing from 12-1pm on a Monday lunchtime. The charge is £40 per term.

Contact MusicShare on 07938 871 682 or musicshare@lichfieldcathedralschool.com to find out more or join this group

Ukrainian Voices

Meets on Sundays during term-time, 5pm to 6pm in the School Chapel.

Contact details

For more information about MusicShare or to join Mini Voices, Young Voices, Youth Voices or Ladies Who Lark, contact MusicShare on 07938 871 692 or musicshare@lichfieldcathedralschool.com.