More than 2,500 school pupils from across Aberdeen sang their hearts out at the city’s Duthie Park today, as part of Big Sing 2023.
Primary 4 pupils from each of the Granite City’s 51 primary schools performed classroom favourites “Happy” and “Power in Me”, as well as Bruno Mars’ “Count On Me”.
The day started with a rousing performance of the pipes and drums from Robert Gordon’s Pipe Band before pupils took to the stage.
The compere inspired the kids, telling them: “It doesn’t matter where you come from in the city, you’re all special.”
She also encouraged them to “enjoy singing” and that it is a “great way to make friends”.
Due to the amount of schools taking part, the 20-minute performances were divided into three different time sections based on area.
During the lunchtime performance, all pupils from the Aberdeen School for the Deaf took part, while songs were signed in British Sign Language (BSL) throughout the day.
Pupils from all of the schools have been practising with their class teachers since September, as well as with vocal teachers from Aberdeen City Council’s music service.
The latter was funded through the Youth Music Initiative grant – which ensures every pupil in Scotland is offered a year of free music tuition in primary school – from Creative Scotland.
Amongst the children who were heartily singing, were pupils from Abbotswell School in Kincorth, including Aoife Ononiwu, Leona Robertson and Lucy Robertson.
The trio told The P&J that the day was “really exciting” and their favourite thing was “everything”.
They also said the song they enjoyed singing the most was “Power in Me” because of the “power”, adding: “It says you’ve got the power in you.”
Teacher Rebecca Duguid said: “It was just wonderful to be part of such a special event. The children have been so excited to come down and be part of something so special. It’s just been a wonderful day.”
Hundreds of parents were there to cheer on the kids and give them encouragement, including mum Delphine Caly, who said the event was a “great idea”.
She added: “My son was excited about coming here and has been singing the songs for a few weeks and was really looking forward to it.”
Scott Forrest, who was watching his son Peter, a pupil of Mile End School, perform, said: “I think it’s really good to bring all the different schools together in one voice and song.
“Hopefully it becomes a yearly event and gives the kids some confidence to perform in front of crowds and in front of their proud parents, grandmas and grandads etc., as well as friends and family.”
Proud uncle Martin Raitt, who was watching his nephew, added: “It’s good to see the kids enjoying themselves. It’s a good community thing for them to get to interact with other kids.”
As well as the performance from the school pupils, the crowd at Duthie Park were entertained by the musical accompaniment of the music service’s staff band.
‘Really uplifting’
Aberdeen City Council’s education and children’s services committee vice-convener, Jessica Mennie said the event was “fantastic”, adding: “This is the type of thing that the city needs to really uplift us.
“One of the things that really touched me today is seeing the young children learning those songs, but also signing BSL along with the songs. It just absolutely showed the coming together. The inclusiveness was really uplifting.”
Conversation