We were delighted to be commissioned by The Piece Hall, through our colleagues at Calderdale Music Trust to take creative lead in this brilliant project bringing a heritage site alive!
This project revived the traditional Piece Hall Big Sing with a modern twist. An innovative collaboration between Performing Arts etc Ltd, The Piece Hall and Calderdale Music Trust, bringing history and heritage to life.
Primary school children from nine schools worked with Sam, to write brand new songs which explored the historic Piece Hall, Halifax and Calderdale more widely. Songs about the trades of the past, about famous and infamous characters who walked the floors of the Piece Hall, about Halifax zoo and about the daredevils who would come and wow the crowds.
The Piece Hall Learning and Participation team introduced the subject matter of the songs in a visit before the project. Performing Arts etc provided the artistic lead and musical direction and the music hub provided key school contacts and logistical support. It was a truly collaborative project!
When the 11 songs had been written, 10 by participants for their peers to sing, and one by Sam as a finale, resource packs were prepared. After a CPD session children and staff from 21 Calderdale primary schools set about learning the songs.
On Whit Friday 2018, 850 children from 21 schools came together with a live band in the Piece Hall to perform the songs to an audience of some 2,500 people including the Mayor of Calderdale.
The Piece Hall are left with a resource pack of songs to sing with groups of school children who visit them. Songs routed in the community, written with lyrics that can be easily understood, and catchy, singable tunes in a sensible range.
We believe this is an exemplar model for future projects.
This project was supported by Community Foundation for Calderdale, Ernest Cook Trust and D’Oyly Carte Foundation.