Building a legacy of vocal excellence

Hertfordshire Music Service’s Gospel Project

In a remarkable initiative to extend musical opportunities for children and young people, Hertfordshire Music Service (HMS) has joined forces with the Chipperfield Choral Society, London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC), Sing Up, and local schools to create a gospel unit. This collaboration aims to highlight the value of partnerships in music education and to build a long-term legacy of vocal excellence within the Chipperfield area.

The project is designed to ensure that young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to high-quality and sustainable singing provision throughout the community. By developing this unit alongside Sing Up, HMS has enriched its curriculum by incorporating gospel music, allowing students to explore a genre deeply rooted in cultural and historical significance.

The gospel unit offers a comprehensive curriculum that delves into the musical, cultural, and historical aspects of gospel heritage. Students are introduced to gospel singing techniques, warm-ups, and song interpretations, with the unit designed to be inclusive and welcoming to students of all abilities. The curriculum includes teaching notes, performances, backing tracks, and other resources that support the Sing Up model. Additionally, the unit continues to expand with new footage of LCGC's teacher training workshops, showcasing advanced vocal techniques and teaching methods.

The collaboration between LCGC and local schools exemplifies how partnerships with professional musicians can extend beyond the standard curriculum. With extensive support and funding from the Chipperfield Choral Society, HMS has developed a module that reaches beyond Hertfordshire schools, emphasising the importance of community within both schools and singing. These skills are invaluable, extending well beyond the music classroom.

By partnering with professional musicians and educational platforms like Sing Up, students have seen improvements in their communication, confidence, and sense of belonging. The longevity of the gospel unit provides students with a deep understanding of the voice and gospel music, illustrating how these skills can be integrated into the education system. This project serves as a powerful reminder that when music education is infused with history, passion, and soul, it can profoundly change the way young people perceive music within education and their lives.

Sharon Durant OBE, Partnership Manager for Sing Up says: “For Sing Up, working in partnership with music hubs and other music organisations is invaluable in many ways. It helps Sing Up widen the opportunities and musical resources available to young people, as well as having the potential to honour our commitment to EDI. In return, we can offer access to our vast library of resources, which supports widespread singing activity as well as curriculum teaching and instrumental learning, combined with our digital platform and publishing expertise.”

The London Community Gospel Choir has played a pivotal role in this initiative. Following a successful year of workshops and presentations, LCGC has continued to lead the gospel project workshops and staff CPD, working closely with students and teachers. Their involvement has not only been educational but also immensely enjoyable, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. The choir's workshops have enhanced students' communication skills, speech, and motor skills through innovative learning methods, such as memorising lyrics and working on rhythm.

By collaborating with schools, the profile of singing and gospel heritage has been raised which is invaluable for the students and re-engages culture and music within the curriculum. The workshops have provided a platform for young people to explore singing alongside professionals in a safe environment where they can explore their voices with a potential to continue in the future. The collaboration also strengthens the bonds between both HMS and schools.

Hertfordshire Music Service's gospel project is a testament to the transformative power of music education and the enduring impact of collaborative efforts. As this initiative continues to grow, it promises to inspire and nurture the next generation of vocal talent, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence in the Chipperfield area and beyond.