Hampshire school children in ‘gigantic’ sing
Over 3,500 children, from 55 Hampshire schools, recently lent their voices to turn up the volume for ‘The Giant Sing’. Organised by Hampshire County Council’s Music Service ‘The Giant Sing’ comprised four performances, over two days, of the musical adaption of Oscar Wilde’s short story ‘The Selfish Giant’, composed by Jan Stroud Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “We are very proud of our music service and ‘The Giant Sing’ is another great example of the opportunities that the service opens up to children and young people of all ages to get involved in music. The young people who took part are following in the footsteps of those that have previously performed the musical to high acclaim, from thousands of children all over the world, in large theatres, small village halls, and even at The Royal Opera House. Music plays an important role in a well-rounded education and it is a wonderful way to bring people together.” Choirs of children, age 7 – 14 years – from schools in Basingstoke, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Hart, New Forest, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester – sang the songs they had been rehearsing since the autumn term, backed by a live band. The magical story was further brought to life with a drama and dance performance by students from Kings’ School in Winchester, and narration by BBC Radio Solent presenter, Nick Girdler. Hampshire’s ‘Giant Sing’ was held at The Anvil in Basingstoke and was one of many staged across the world to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the musical. The Big Sing tells the story of a Giant who returns from a long holiday with his friend, the Cornish ogre, and was furious to find children playing in his garden. He selfishly decides to build a high wall to keep them out. Spring never returns and it is always winter in the garden, until one day when the children find a hole in the wall and as they play again the trees begin to blossom. Only one tree remains in its winter form and the giant see a tiny boy who isn’t tall enough to reach the branches. The Giant lifts him up into the tree and spring comes again. The schools that took part in one of the four performances, held on 1 and 2 March, were as follows. Tuesday 1 March Kings’ School, in Winchester provided the dance and drama performances. Lead choirs: Kings’ School and Westgate School, Winchester. Supporting choirs: Basingstoke Bishopswood Junior School Burham Copse Primary School Chalk Ridge Primary School Kingsclere Church Of England Primary School Kings Furlong Junior School Merton Junior School Winklebury Junior School East Hampshire Binstead Primary School Froxfield Church of England Primary School Eastleigh Hambledon Primary School Netley Abbey Junior School Gosport Leesland Church of England (controlled) Junior School Hart Charles Kingsley’s Church Of England Primary School Elvetham Heath Primary School New Forest Burley Primary School Waterside Primary School Rushmoor St Michael’s Church Of England (Controlled) Junior School Talavera Junior School Test Valley Andover Primary School Appleshaw St Peter’s Church of England Primary School Winchester Harestock Primary School Wednesday 2 March Kings’ School, in Winchester provided the dance and drama performances. Lead choirs: Bay House School (Gosport), Horndean Technology College (East Hampshire), Hurst Community College (Basingstoke) and Westgate School (Winchester). Supporting choirs: Basingstoke Burghclere Primary School Chalk Ridge Primary School Great Binfields Primary School South View Junior School St John’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School East Hampshire Andrews Endowed Church of England Primary School Bentley Church of England Primary School Ropley Primary School Wesford Junior School Eastleigh Cherbourg Primary School Colden Common Primary School Knightwood Primary School Shakespeare Junior School Stoke Park Junior School Fareham Orchard Lea Junior School Titchfield Primary School Wicor Primary School Gosport Gomer Primary School Havant Bidbury Junior School Mengham Junior School Springwood Junior School Hart Church Crookham Junior School Heatherside Junior School Long Sutton Church of England Primary School Potley Hill Primary School New Forest Calmore Junior School New Milton Junior School Western Downland Church of England Aided Primary School Rushmoor Park Primary School Tavistock Infants School Wellington Community Primary School Test Valley Longparish Church of England Primary School St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School St Francis Church of England Primary School
