CHILDREN from from the Oswestry area broke into song for an inaugural music event.

A total of 117 Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in the first ever North Shropshire Big Sing, held at Moreton Hall near Oswestry.

Moreton Hall invited students from Moreton First Prep School as well as primary school children from Whittington, Selattyn Primary School and Gobowen Primary to take part in musical activities and sing in a mass choir.

Helen Rayner, director of music at Moreton Hall said: “It was evident that the children have benefitted greatly from this initiative. The musical games, exercises and songs enhanced key skills such as literacy, numeracy, communication and language.

"There was a great sense of fun and camaraderie amongst all the children here today and it is our hope that they have had a positive experience.”

The initiative, which was created by Moreton Hall 's music department, is intended to bring youngsters together through music and encourage an interest in choral singing.

Big Sing co-ordinator Eleanor Diack has visited each school during the term

to deliver workshop sessions on breathing, performing and choral techniques.

The sessions culminated in the Big Sing, with all students and their class teachers invited to perform a selection of well-known songs.

Alison Stevens, Shropshire Music Educational Hub services manager, said: “North

Shropshire Big Sing' is a very exciting choral initiative: one that I have no doubt will engender a love for choral singing in a fun and entertaining way.

"Moreton Hall is leading the way with such an initiative and the Shropshire Music Educational Hub is proud to have such a positive working partnership with such a forward thinking Independent school."