Music has a central role within the Diocese, with significant numbers of children and young people actively involved in school and church choirs. The diocesan Schools Singing Programme (SSP) aims to enrich existing provision across participating diocesan schools by offering world-class, inclusive music programmes which transform students’ musical education.
The Diocese launched its Schools Singing Programme in 2023, inspired by the model originally developed by the Diocese of Leeds. Through the SSP, the Diocese is able to deliver outstanding singing tuition, music education and performance opportunities to children and young people attending state primary schools in Sussex and Surrey, with expert guidance and tuition provided by two full time Choral Directors, Fraser Ellson and Billie Robson. Our Choral Directors are line managed by the Director of the diocesan Education Service, who oversee the SSP to ensure the sustainability and impact of the project.
“I am delighted that our diocese is offering the Schools Singing Programme. The
scheme provides important opportunities for evangelisation, together with formation
of young people in liturgical music, assisting their journey to becoming disciples in
the fullest sense.”
The Schools Singing Programme aims to support schools’ existing National Curriculum music provision, aided and guided by a range of bespoke resources created specifically for singing provision in Catholic primary education. SSP music sessions are led by our Choral Directors, who deliver high-quality school singing sessions, as well as directing and coaching after-school choirs. The core work of the Schools Singing Programme takes place during the school day with whole-class singing that includes both sacred and secular music and repertoire. Sessions usually run for 30 minutes with ample time to ‘warm-up’, before the class looks at one to three songs per session, exploring a piece of sacred music such as gospel spiritual, a hymn, carol or a piece of plainchant. Groups also explore a non-sacred work and incorporate both classical and contemporary works into the programme.
An important element of the SSP centres on enthusing children with repertoire. Both diocesan Choral Directors have expertise in specific fields of choral music and can incorporate repertoire that the school would like to become part of their standard worship, such as Mass settings and hymns specific to a festival or feast day. The important mix of warm-ups and sacred and secular repertoire leads to an engaging, exciting session that keep the class active throughout. Once the SSP is embedded in schools, there will be opportunities to take choirs into the parishes for Sunday masses.
Fraser read music at Nottingham University, holds a Tenor Lay Clerkship at Guildford Cathedral, and has significant experience composing and transcribing musical scores. Speaking about his diocesan role, Fraser said “I am overjoyed to be working with schools as SSP Choral Director for Surrey. I work closely with members of the diocesan Education Service and school leadership teams to provide opportunities for pupils to perform and contribute to liturgy in school and in the wider community – as well as exploring the possibility of students participating in national singing projects. The Schools Singing Programme is both varied and hugely rewarding - we might begin a session learning a hymn and finish with an energetic song about mangoes, kiwis and pineapples! The SSP offers a fantastic opportunity for diocesan primary school pupils to experience the wonderful impact of music making while having huge fun.”
Billie’s musical education began in Norwich, where she was a chorister at both cathedrals. She then read Music at Cambridge University alongside a choral scholarship at Gonville and Caius College, followed by postgraduate studies in singing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has performed with many renowned professional choirs in venues and festivals including the Berliner Philharmonie, La Scala, the Salzburg Festival and the BBC Proms. She is a member of the Monteverdi Choir, having graduated from the prestigious Monteverdi Apprentice programme. Billie has sung with many of the UK’s finest liturgical choirs and sings regularly as a cantor and choir member at Worth Abbey. She is excited to share her love of sacred music with schoolchildren across Sussex and delighted that the Schools Singing Programme will bring musical opportunities to Catholic primary schools, their pupils and their local parishes.
To find out more about launching the Schools Singing Programme in your school please contact the Director of the Education Service, Julie Oldroyd.
