Highfield Senior Choir

The Senior Choir plays a prominent role in the life of the school and is an opportunity for the children to gain experience of performing in a variety of genres and settings, as well as having the opportunity to share in producing work of a high standard with their friends.

Choir is open to all Yr 4, 5 and 6 children, and rehearsals take place on Thursday mornings from 8.30 am – 9.05 am. We have a very full year of engagements and we try to sing songs which are both enjoyable and challenging.

In the Autumn term the Choir sings in the School Chapel for the Harvest service, to which parents and friends are invited, and again for the Christmas service at the end of the first term. This Service is always very special and it begins with candlelight. We also spend an afternoon nearer Christmas when we carol-sing in the community; in 2006 we sang at Betty’s Café, Harlow Carr Gardens, and last year we sang in the beautiful setting of Ripley Castle. For the first time this year, Highfield produced a Christmas CD, on which the Choir sang ‘Stille Nacht’ in German. The childrens’ knowledge of other countries’ traditions is always broadened by the inclusion of songs sung in different languages.

The highlight of the Spring term is Harrogate Music Festival, and this year the Choir sang three contrasting songs, competing against eleven other choirs, the result being a highly commended report. The Choir also sings in the Chapel for the Easter service towards the end of the Spring term, and again at the end of the Summer term, after performing at the Prizegiving ceremony, which is a superb test of the childrens’ stage presence!

There are, on average, 50 members of the Choir, sometimes singing in 2 or 3 parts, and our overall objective is to develop musical ability at the same time as providing an enjoyable and productive activity where the children are able to feel part of a successful, hardworking team.