{"id":4311,"date":"2025-05-16T08:02:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T07:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northernlights.education\/nllt\/?post_type=ir_news&p=4311"},"modified":"2025-05-16T10:49:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T09:49:55","slug":"northern-lights-schools-get-together-for-musical-extravaganza","status":"publish","type":"ir_news","link":"https:\/\/northernlights.education\/nllt\/news\/northern-lights-schools-get-together-for-musical-extravaganza\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Lights schools get together for musical extravaganza"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Talented children and young people from across schools in the Northern Lights Learning Trust followed in the footsteps of musical legends The Beatles as they sang, danced and performed on stage at Stockton\u2019s Globe Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe came together to create a wonderful event that our children and families will remember,\u201d said Northern Lights Learning Trust\u2019s Chief Executive Jo Heaton OBE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some 188 youngsters from primary and secondary school choirs across Teesside and Wearside met up for their \u201cOne Voice\u201d concert at the prestigious theatre on Wednesday 2 April for the first time after rehearsing since January in their own schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning for this, the third annual Trust event, started just after last year\u2019s concert, in April 2024. Marie Crowe, headteacher at Hart Primary School and chief organiser, said: \u201cI\u2019ve had lots of lovely feedback. We are immensely proud of our talented young people and what they achieved!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the first time the One Voice event has been staged at the Stockton Globe, the only venue in the North East where The Beatles have played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original One Voice concert in 2023 was held at the Lubetkin Theatre, East Durham College, which held 200 audience members. It moved to Venerable Bede CE Academy in Sunderland last year in front of 600 but with the addition of St Aidan\u2019s CE Academy joining the Trust this year and a bigger programme \u2013 including the inaugural Northern Lights staff choir \u2013 it was necessary to find a larger venue for performers and parents, grandparents and carers who wanted to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Globe lifted One Voice to an even higher level of professionalism, said organisers. Sponsors and a raffle helped fund the memorable performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jo Heaton added: \u201cThis was a wonderful Trust event\u2026 the talent and enthusiasm of our children was brilliant as well as seeing everyone come together in such a joyous way. It was lovely to have St Aidan\u2019s join us and we look forward to Dame Dorothy Primary School in Sunderland being part of it next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was unbelievably proud of every single one of our wonderful schools, children, young people and staff. It was wonderful to be able to provide our pupils with this opportunity and create memories.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The programme included all primaries singing what has now been adopted as the concert\u2019s anthem, \u201cI am One Voice\u201d. To celebrate the Fab Four\u2019s 1964 show at the Globe, primary choirs sang \u201cYellow Submarine\u201d, \u201cLittle Help from Our Friends\u201d and \u201cTwist and Shout.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben from Ian Ramsay CE Academy in Stockton-on-Tees played a clarinet solo and separately his twin brother Alex played a piano solo. Years 3 and 4 from Hart Primary School in Hart, Hartlepool, played their recorders; Hart\u2019s Young Thespians performed \u201cHard Knock Life\u201d from the musical Annie; Year 6s from St Helen\u2019s Primary School in Hartlepool took part in an energic contemporary dance and Neeva from Holley Park Academy, Washington, performed a traditional Indian dance. There were performances from Northern Lights\u2019 secondary school choirs, Venerable Bede, Ian Ramsey and St Aidan\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jess Dale, an accomplished singer as well as a teaching assistant at Benedict Biscop CE Academy, Sunderland, performed \u201cColours of the Wind\u201d while Grange Primary School, Hartlepool, sang \u201cYou\u2019ve got a Friend\u201d. The staff choir, made up of colleagues from schools and the Trust central team, belted out the Oasis classic, \u201cDon\u2019t Look Back in Anger\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Voice 2025 wrapped up with an Abba megamix and finally \u201cWe are Family\u201d  \u2013 which was entirely appropriate, according to the Trust\u2019s Director of Inclusion, Carole Bradley. She said: \u201cThis was such an amazing, uplifting night. Every part was special and it truly felt like we were one family \u2013 shining stronger together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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