Literacy Through Vocal Performance Sept – Nov 2015

Literacy Through Vocal Performance project built upon previous training in choral speaking, but added an additional and exciting dimension to the practitioner’s repertoire of vocal performance strategies. Just as with choral speaking, the techniques learnt in song writing enabled the practitioner and pupils to explore language, meaning and message collaboratively and perform joyously, effectively and expressively as an outcome for cross curricular work. This training assisted teachers in covering many statutory requirements of reading comprehension and writing composition from the new Primary National Curriculum. The project involved 16 Primary schools across Newham and was developed and directed by Living Song, in collaboration with Newham Council and Elmhurst Primary School. Two Young Artists, Amina Gichinga and Nathan Davonte mentored teachers and pupils throughout the project and the performance outcome was a wonderful day of original song and spoken word sharing at Stratford Circus. Jane Wheeler from Living Song, who also led the initial teacher training, and Paul Lyalls warmed up the 300 or more children in preparation for their performance, contributing to a strong community atmosphere of adventure, sharing, mutual support and fun!