Thousands of schoolchildren in County Durham are set to make some noise for Make Music Day UK’s Big Play event.
Big Play is all about celebrating everyday music making; in the classroom, playground, practice room, at home, live or virtually. In 2019 nearly 18,000 young people from County Durham and Darlington made music for Make Music Day and organisers are hoping for similar numbers this year, with over 14,000 children already signed up.
Schools can join in with Make Music Day Monday 21 June, or any day that week in two ways; either by holding their own School Big Play Event which can be live or pre-recorded to share on websites and social media, or join schools from all over the world in the first ever Make Music Day Global Big Sing.
Schools can celebrate music in their own way, big or small. Those signing up will receive a pack containing posters and stickers and will be shown on an interactive map on the Durham Music Service (DMS) website.
DMS works with Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council to facilitate world class performance and learning opportunities for pupils of all abilities.
As part of the fun, at 11am on 21 June DMS is hosting a Big Sing at Ushaw College. A full pop band will be playing live at the free event. Then at 1pm a virtual performance will take place with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, which has been working with four primary schools and their beginner musicians, as well as musicians in DMS’s County Youth Orchestra.
Other activities in the build-up to Make Music Day UK sees Mr Elliot’s Guitar Dash on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 June at various schools in County Durham. Mr Elliot will be trying to reach as many schools and as many children as possible performing a specially composed piece of music for guitar.
And as part of Big Play, the first ever Virtual Open Mic event will be held. This is a shout out by DMS to all young vocalists, guitarists and drummers to perform and record at home or school and share by tagging Durham Music Service on Facebook or tagging @TrustDurham on Twitter.
Michael Summers, DMS manager, said: “We are all really looking forward to this year’s Big Play event and it’s great to see so many children at schools across County Durham signed up to take part. I’m sure it will be a fantastic day and the children and their teachers will have a great time getting involved.”
Cllr Ted Henderson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Whether you’re picking up an instrument to play or singing along to music, I hope all children taking part enjoy this year’s Big Play. Well done to Durham Music Service for its work in helping to showcase the fantastic young talent that we have in County Durham too.”
For more information and resources for Big Play 2021, go to www.durhammusic.org.uk/big-play-schools-2021-the-music-plays-on
DMS offers small group lessons in nearly all schools across County Durham and Darlington. The lessons are fun, exciting and develop musical and instrumental skills from beginner to advanced.
To find out more and register interest in future lessons visit www.durhammusic.org.uk/sign-up
