Hello Everyone! I’m Chanté, currently working as Living Song’s Programme Co-ordinator and one of the four Lead Artists for this year’s Artist Approach Project (AA2). we are so proud to say that Living Song has collaborated with Lambeth Music Service for another successful year. What an amazing time we all had at the Southbank Centre for Lambeth Music Service’s Primary Singing Day on March 25th. Across two concerts, 1700 primary school children sang their hearts out on the Royal Festival Hall stage. Cheers of joy echoed from a full house of 2000 audience members – made up of family, friends and teachers who were so proud of their young people.
As part of the AA2 Project, Young Music Mentees, Faith and Esther had the opportunity to do some work experience Front of House to learn how an event is run at this scale. From welcoming students and teachers into the building, to chaperoning them to their positions on stage. Myself (Chanté Osagiede) and Young Music Mentees Faith Flerin and Esther Armah (alongside Southbank and LMS staff) supported the smooth running of the day making sure everyone was where they should be, with lots of snacks, laughter, and teamwork in between! I was mainly involved in greeting school groups whilst signing them in and it really highlighted the bubble of excitement that surrounded the entire day, so many smiles!
We got the chance to watch the performances and support our onstage team. Zoe Ansah (Curriculum and Singing Lead for LMS) did a great job spearheading the whole Primary Singing Programme, including with her energising arrangements of songs by Lianne la Havas, and Ezra Collective. Living Song Director, Pam Hulme and Young Artist, Richie Ekila conducted some beautiful repertoire, including Pam’s arrangement of “Read All About It” and “Everybody’s Free”, with a surprise pipe organ segment. There were also wonderful arrangements by our Living Song associates Jane Wheeler and Bryan Welton. The live band provided by LMS also brought the groovy energy, with Michael Goodey on the keys (my fellow Lead Artist on the Artists Approach Project) A big shout out to Living Song’s Emerging Artists Mohan Dhar and Gabrielle Chudi, who also worked as part of the team on the teacher trainings leading up to this event.
Well done to all involved, it really was a reminder of the magic that music brings!