Lincoln Cathedral: Music partnership with schools launched

BBC News

09-02-2025

Lincoln Cathedral has recruited an experienced musician to encourage singing at four local schools.Jack Holliday, who has a background in musical theatre, will go into schools to deliver weekly workshops and help to develop choirs.Cathedral officials hope the partnership will inspire the next generation of singers.The most able pupils could be invited to join the cathedral choir.
Mr Holliday, who is from Lincoln, said he was excited to be working with pupils in his home county.He said: "Singing gives children an opportunity to express themselves and to demonstrate their creativity, and this project enables us to help more children discover and develop their voices."Aric Prentice, the cathedral's director of music and master of choristers, said the partnership was a new approach to offer more support within schools.He said: "We're privileged to be part of a centuries-old choral tradition at Lincoln Cathedral and see daily the difference singing makes in people's lives. It's important for us to be able to share that with new generations of singers."
Mr Prentice hopes the partnership will encourage future choristers. Nettleham Junior School is one of the schools involved. Head teacher David Gibbons described the scheme as "wonderful" and said the children were "singing their hearts out".In February 2024, Mr Prentice said the single-sex choirs were five boys and five girls short of a full complement.A year later, there is a waiting list for girls, but the choir is still looking for more boys.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.