Why I Don’t Have “a Choir” at My School

People are often surprised when I say that I don’t have a choir at Bayford School. They look puzzled, especially when they hear how much singing goes on here and they know just how keen I am on primary school singing.

But the truth is...

I do have a choir - in fact, I have several - I just don’t call them 'choirs'.

We have a whole-school choir every time we gather for Collective Worship. When around 100 children aged 4–11 lift their voices together, they create something far larger than the size of our school suggests.

'Two- and three-part singing? No problem!

The energy, focus, and musicality they bring to joint singing is remarkable.'

Then there’s the Key Stage 1 choir — otherwise known as 'Class 1', made up of all our Year 1 and 2 children. They sing every week in lessons, regularly in church, and in December for our wonderful Christmas production.

KS2 children sing weekly in their music lessons too! And Class 2 (Yr 3-4) recently took part in the Hertford, Ware and District Schools Carol Service - joining with schools across the area. Year 5–6 (aka Class 3) represent the school in the Hertford, Ware and District Music Festival every spring and throw themselves wholeheartedly into their end of year show.

At the moment, all of these “choirs” are busy preparing for our Christmas service. Year 5–6 are particularly excited about tackling a carol that begins in two parts and ends in a four-part canon. Fewer than thirty children will make this happen — and they will be brilliant!

If this were a local prep school, you might not be surprised. But it isn’t. Bayford is a small state primary, a regular village school with a diverse mix of children. Many don't have a musical background or high aspirations in the arts. If I stood in front of them and asked, “Who wants to join a choir?”, a good number would say no. Not because they lack ability, but because they don't imagine it is for them!

And that is exactly why I don’t have 'a choir' at Bayford School.

I believe music is for everyone, and that every child should have the chance to take part in challenging, joyful musical experiences. By treating each class as a choir... every child sings... every child rehearses... every child performs. They take part in local events, represent their school, and experience pride, teamwork, and success that they might never have discovered on their own.

Children who weren’t initially enthusiastic about singing in public become energised by the experience. They surprise themselves. They grow. They find rewards they simply would not have had if there had been just one traditional choir that they could choose to join - or opt out of.

I don’t have a choir...

...I have a singing school.

And that is something to celebrate!