Crawley schools shine with Glyndebourne

The result of weeks of hard work and dedication paid off with an impressive performance by school children from Crawley alongside the Glyndebourne Chorus and Sinfonia recently.  

A creative singing and composing project took place through the autumn term with three Crawley schools – St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, St Wilfrid’s Catholic School, and Waterfield Primary School – as part of Glyndebourne’s partnership with West Sussex Music. 

The Crawley Singing Schools project was organised by the education team from Glyndebourne, with assistance from West Sussex Music, and resulted in a performance held at Worth Abbey, near to Crawley, on Thursday 5 December.  

The aims of the project were for the children to experience working with professional singers, to learn songs by JS Bach and Vivaldi as well as spirituals and to work alongside composer Howard Moody to create their own songs.  

Rachel Maby, Schools Singing Leader for West Sussex Music, said: 

“The team at Glyndebourne has a great track record in inspiring children and young people and creating incredible creative programmes. It was a joy to watch the performance at Worth Abbey and to see the results of all the effort put in by the pupils, the teachers, and Glyndebourne workshop leaders. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Rhiannon and Howard and each of the schools this term. Well done all!” 

The final performance featured 140 pupils from the three schools, the Glyndebourne Chorus and soloists and the Glyndebourne Sinfonia. They performed for family members, as well as invited guests Councillors Sue Mullins and Chris Mullins from Crawley Borough Council, in the stunning surroundings of Worth Abbey, a working monastery. 

Glyndebourne is one of the most celebrated opera houses in the world, delivering performances to some 150,000 people across a summer festival and autumn season, and a year-round programme of Learning & Engagement activity.  

For more information about West Sussex Music’s support for schools and their music programmes for young people go here. 

Pic caption –

Back row – Lucy Perry (Glyndebourne) / Liz Hart (Crawley Borough Council) / James Underwood (West Sussex Music) / Margaret Evans (West Sussex Music)

Front row – Cllr Chris Mullins (Crawley Borough Council) / Cllr Sue Mullins (Crawley Borough Council) / Howard Moody (Composer)

Photographer Sarah Hickson