Over the last few weeks, travelling across the country to various large singing events, I asked myself, “Does everything we say about singing and connection at the Sing Up Foundation hold up out here, at pace, with a large crowd of kids?” Baz with the band During my usual working day I think about singing and children's mental health from a distance, but recently I got to think about it from a different perspective, as I went on the road with my wife (conductor and song leader Ula Weber) and other musicians, working across a run of ‘big sings’, the large-scale, sometimes high-energy performances that are often a school's or a project's showcase moment. The events in brief My big sing tour started on the Pembrokeshire coast with several hundred children led by Ula and supported by a five-piece band. Next, we travelled to Inverness, for a big sing which mattered enormously to us as it was the culmination of the first ever Ex Cathedra Singing Playgrounds project run in the Highlands. Finally, we made our way to Southport for Sing for Sefton, an established annual project led by an Ex Cathedra team of two singing leaders with me on keys, plus bass and percussion. Different rooms, different ages, different repertoire, and whilst mental health wasn’t an explicit goal, could this type of singing still help those who are struggling? Does ‘singing for connection’ happen in big sings? At the Sing Up Foundation, we say that singing isn't automatically connecting but rather it’s the conditions which determine whether singing heals, helps, or does nothing at all. For vulnerable young people we often talk about small-group, carefully crafted, reflexive work, so a one-off, fast-paced big sing might not feel like an environment for creating that kind of connection. Certainly, without knowing them it’s impossible to say what it did for the most vulnerable children, but did I see real connection happen in a single session? I did – in two quite different ways: The first connection is the general, collective kind. Anyone who’s been part of a large group singing together will know that something extraordinary can happen. A good leader, a responsive band and well-chosen repertoire can get a room of several hundred children functioning as one singing organism within seconds. And teachers feel it too. Some of the most powerful feedback we’ve received is from staff surprised and moved at seeing their pupils light up like that. The second connection is smaller, and it's the one I find most powerful. It’s the individual moments of exposure and courage these events create space for. Two moments from Sefton stayed with me in particular: One was when a neurodivergent boy the teachers were a little anxious about was invited up in front of his class and gently coached through a few conducting gestures. He delivered these with confidence and accuracy, clearly thrilled and empowered by the opportunity. The other was when a line of children were invited on stage to do something small and exposing as part of a song. One boy was clearly nervous and the girl next to him quietly encouraged him. When his moment came, he nailed it - she put her hand on his shoulder afterwards and congratulated him with such pride. Who knows what that moment may have done for him. And indeed, for her. Can practitioners incorporate mental health work into a room moving this fast? To a degree, yes; and it chimes with what we at the Foundation describe as the ‘Do-Know-Be’ of this work. For example, truly inclusive practice can happen even in large groups when leaders are well-informed. This looks like careful selection of repertoire, ensuring spaces feel safe, and sensitive management of the energy in the room throughout the event. It’s not all about upbeat songs. And also, there’s important work in encouraging a reluctant singer for weeks before a large-scale singing event. This sensitivity feeds right into small, shared acts of courage, with a child being invited to create a "Brand New Sound" in the interactive part of that song, or to lead some actions in The Do-Be-Do Song. What matters is that leaders know when to invite someone in, when to encourage them out of their comfort zone and when to leave them be. But it's important that musical skills are worked on too. Simple directions such as "let's use our singing voice, not our shouty voice" focuses the children and shows them that quality matters, even at scale; feeling part of something quality contributes to a positive experience. Which answers a second question I'd carried in: do one-off events mean nothing lasts? If planned correctly, I don't think these mass events are one-offs. Of course, the grassroots singing happening in schools all year round does the most valuable and sustainable work. The big sing is a moment that celebrates and showcases what that work achieves, to the children, teachers, head teachers, funders and parents. Maybe it also sows a seed: after all, a child who has an unforgettable afternoon at a big sing is more likely to keep singing in the playground on Monday. A view from the singers at Sing for Sefton What I'd say to a school or a commissioner Don't treat a big sing as a spectacle that stands alone. It's genuinely valuable in its own right and likely to be a big success on the day. But its value multiplies when it sits inside an ongoing culture of everyday, inclusive singing - playground games, classroom singing - rather than a single spectacular afternoon. Where wellbeing is the goal, it's the normalising of singing that makes the bigger moments special. From the band’s-eye view, you can feel a school's commitment the moment you walk on stage, not just in how well the children sing, but in how they respond and how excited the room is before a note has even been played. The schools that have put in the groundwork are unmistakable. My honest advice to teachers is simple: get involved, be an enthusiast yourself, even if you don't feel expert. And remember that singing every day might be the single most valuable thing a school can offer. What it taught me back at my desk At the Sing Up Foundation, our work around young people’s mental health often centres on small singing groups or one-to-one activities. This tour of big sings reminded me of something different: the power of a group singing the same line, or in harmony, towards one shared goal - the way it lifts us, the way it connects us with others, the way it makes us something greater than ourselves, is something very special. Playing for big sings is the most valuable piece of CPD I do. It reassures me that the direction of our work is right, but it sharpens something important: delivered well, this activity has real, visible benefit for most, maybe all, children in a room - and for those really struggling it may help, but isn't enough on its own. That's exactly where our deeper, more targeted work picks up, and where we hope to keep providing insight and guidance. Baz Chapman is Joint Head of the Sing Up Foundation. He spent some of May and June 2026 freelancing as an accompanist for St David’s Festival and Ex Cathedra, alongside his role at the Foundation. These big sings were run as part of projects run by partners from Ex Cathedra and Sefton Music Service/Sing for Sefton.

Everything you need to join and participate in our launch webinar on Wednesday 13 May, 1pm–2pm. Seats on Riverside are limited. If you haven’t booked yours yet, register now. If Riverside is full, you can still watch live on Facebook or LinkedIn — see below. We’d suggest joining a few minutes before 1pm to check your settings. Jump to: How to Join - How to Participate - Troubleshooting Four ways to watch The main webinar is hosted on Riverside, where you’ll be able to ask questions via chat, send reactions and even join the panel live on video to ask your question in person. This is the best way to experience the webinar. If Riverside seats are full, or if you prefer, you can also watch the live stream on Facebook Live, LinkedIn Live or YouTube Live. You’ll be able to comment and ask questions on both platforms, though the live call-in feature is only available on Riverside. Joining on Riverside (recommended) This is what the joining screen looks like on Riverside. If you’ve booked your seat on Riverside, we’ll send you your personal joining link on 12 May and again one hour before the event. Keep an eye on your inbox and check your spam folder. If you haven’t received it by 12pm on 13 May, email us at info@singupfoundation.org. Once you’ve clicked your link: 1. Enter your name and email address (as in the image on the right). 2. Allow Riverside to use your camera and microphone when prompted. 3. Check your sound settings. 4. Click Join Now. Watching on Facebook Live You don’t need to register to watch on Facebook. The live stream is open to everyone. 1. Log in to Facebook. 2. Go to the Sing Up Foundation Facebook page or the Facebook Event 3. Look for the live video post — it will show a ‘Live’ label. 4. Click or tap the video to watch. Watching on LinkedIn Live You don’t need to register to watch on LinkedIn. The live stream is open to everyone. 1. Log in to LinkedIn. 2. Go to the Sing Up Foundation Page or LinkedIn Event. 3. Click the live video to watch. Watching on YouTube Live You don't need to have registered to watch on YouTube. The live stream is open to everyone. 1. Go to Sing Up Foundation YouTube Channel. 2. Look for the live stream. It will show a "Live" label. 3. Click or tap the video to watch. How to participate in the discussion Chat Icon Our panel will be taking questions during the Q&A section, and we’d love you to get involved! Here’s how (depending on which platform you’re watching on). Asking questions via chat (Riverside) 1. Look for the Chat panel on the right-hand side of the screen. 2. Click into the message box. 3. Type your comment or question. 4. Press Enter or click Send. Sending a message via the live chat. 💡TOP TIP: Include a question mark at the end of your question. This will automatically add it to the Q&A section, making it much easier for us to find and put to the panel. No need to add your question twice! Send us a reaction Sending reactions (Riverside) You can send reactions using the emoji icon at the bottom of the screen. We’d love to see them! Asking a question live on video (Riverside only) Live call-in button If you’d like to ask your question on camera rather than via chat, you can request a live call-in. This feature is only available on Riverside. Please note: due to time constraints, we may not be able to bring everyone in live, but we'll do our best. 1. Click the ‘Request live call-in’ button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. 2. Choose whether you want your camera on or off. 3. Enter your name. 4. Type your question. 5. Click ‘Start live call’ and we'll be notified that you're in the waiting room and will bring you in if time allows. Asking questions on Facebook, LinkedIn Live or YouTube Live If you’re watching on Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube, you can ask questions and comment using the comments section beneath the live video. 1. Open the live video. 2. Look for the comments section below or beside the video. 3. Click or tap into the comment box. 4. Type your comment or question. 5. Press Enter or tap Post. We’ll be monitoring comments on both platforms during the webinar and will relay questions to the panel where we can. We may not be able to get to every question during the webinar, but we’ll be reading all of them. Any questions we don’t get to will help shape the conversations we have next. Troubleshooting If you’re having trouble joining, try these steps: Make sure you’re using an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge). Check that your internet connection is stable. Try refreshing the page. If you’re on Riverside and can’t hear anything, check that your speakers or headphones are selected in the sound settings. If you’re watching on Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube and the stream hasn’t started, don’t worry, it will begin at 1pm. Try refreshing the page closer to the time. If you’re still having problems, email us at support@singup.org and we’ll try to help you get connected. Can’t make it? Don’t worry, we’ll send the recording to all registered attendees after the event. If you haven’t registered yet, you can still sign up to receive the recording.

What can singing and vocal work really do for children and young people's mental health and wellbeing? Not just making people feel good, but genuinely supporting those who are struggling? It's a question we've been sitting with for a while. And what we're finding is full of possibility. Being Seen, Being Heard, Feeling Connected: Our New Publication, out 13 May 2026 A new publication from the Sing Up Foundation Being Seen, Being Heard, Feeling Connected is our new publication exploring what we're learning about singing and vocal work for children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. We've brought together over 50 sources of evidence, practice insight and lived experience to map this emerging territory. Throughout the publication, we use "singing" as shorthand for the full range of vocal work: group singing, songwriting, rap, beatboxing, spoken word, creative vocals and more. This is a think piece and an invitation. It's not a curriculum, a toolkit or a systematic review. It's an honest look at what we know, what we're discovering, and what we still need to find out. Voices from the field One of the things that struck us most in putting this publication together was the depth and richness of what practitioners are seeing every day. Their voices run throughout. Vocal leader Jane Wheeler, who has spent years leading singing with young people across Newham and internationally with the British Council, described what she consistently observes: "It's a way of being acknowledged and recognised and seen, and to be accepted for your sound and your voice." Music practitioner Chris Morris, working with young people through Yorkshire Youth & Music, put it differently: "A lot of these young people have a deep mistrust of language... what people say. But music, banging a drum, and eye contact while you're banging a drum, or shouting, or singing some lyrics... it's a different thing." And Dr Hala Jaber, who works with displaced children as a community musician and post-conflict trauma specialist, reminded us what matters most: "We're not looking for the perfect song to be sung amazingly in harmony... It's just about the experience that you're having at the moment with the children." These practitioners, and many others like them, are already stepping into the gap left by overstretched mental health services. 70% of the practitioners we surveyed want more support and guidance for this work. They're committed. They need the sector to catch up. What's inside At the heart of the publication is a simple but powerful idea: many mental health challenges are rooted in disconnection. But what if singing could rebuild those connections? And what if we could start to explain why? The publication introduces Connection Theory, a new framework from the Sing Up Foundation that maps how singing restores connection across multiple dimensions of a young person's life, and explores why it works when it works. We also develop DO, KNOW, BE, the practitioner framework we first introduced in 2019. It describes the three areas of competence needed for singing and mental health work: musical skill (DO), mental health knowledge (KNOW), and the relational capacity to build trust and connection (BE). The publication takes this further, exploring what each dimension looks like in practice and what the sector needs to support practitioners across all three. We explore what makes singing effective for mental health, and why the conditions matter as much as the singing itself. What we're not claiming We want to be upfront. This publication doesn't claim that singing is a cure, a replacement for specialist services, or a quick fix. The evidence is promising but not yet conclusive. Practice is ahead of research in many areas. We've tried to be honest about those gaps rather than paper over them. As neurologic music therapist Alice Nicholls put it: "We cannot give somebody a voice... we can only help them find theirs." This is a milestone, not a conclusion. Join the conversation We're launching the publication on Wednesday 13 May at 1pm with a webinar and panel discussion: Baz Chapman, Joint Head of the Sing Up Foundation and lead author Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education, UCL Institute of Education Ben Turner, Teach First Ambassador and founder of Rap Club Facilitated by Katherine Zeserson, Chair of Sing Up Presentation. Panel discussion. Your questions. A conversation we'd love you to be part of. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/SUFWebinar Can't make the date? You can register for the recordings and we'll send them to you. The publication will be available to download from 13 May.

Schools and choirs worldwide join Sing Up Day 2026 – celebrating resilience and the power of singing Sing Up invites schools, choirs and community groups across the globe to take part in Sing Up Day 2026 , a free international celebration of singing on Wednesday 25 March 2026 . Now in its 16th year, Sing Up Day brings together thousands of voices from the UK to China, Australia, Spain, the UAE and more. This year’s event features the uplifting new anthem We get up again  by composer Emily Barden , encouraging children to embrace challenges as part of their growth. Michelle James, Sing Up's CEO says: “We use Sing Up Day every year to bring the positive energy of singing to schools everywhere.  We get up again  focuses on resilience, which is so important right now.” Global participation already underway Schools and groups have already begun adding their celebrations to the Sing Up Day map , revealing a plethora of singing celebrations across the whole world - from the UK to Austrailia, China to Egypt and much more. With new events added every day, including: Dunraven Education Trust, UK: “2 secondaries and 4 primaries will join in song to share their own music and unify by singing the Sing Up tune as a mass choir (c.3700 participants).” Aston St Mary’s Primary School, UK: " As a small village school, We are extremely excited that we can join other schools and communities across the world to celebrate the power of song… We can’t wait to perform on the 25th March 2026.” Nord Anglia International School, Shanghai, China "All Primary School students singing together at the Performing Arts Centre Theatre" All participating groups can add their plans to the Sing Up Day Map and submit videos for the Digi-choir - a video featuring clips of performances of the song from around the world, released later in the year. Free resources  All Sing Up Day resources to support you to teach the new Sing Up Day song, We get up again , are free with a Sing Up Friend account, including: Professionally arranged vocal parts for ages 7–13 Backing tracks, performance tracks and rehearsal materials Teaching resources, assembly plan and lyrics Lyric video and British Sign Language tutorial Interactive whiteboard resources and PDF scores Whether for a classroom sing-along or a full school performance, you'll have everything you need for a special celebration. Celebrating the power of singing Singing supports wellbeing, confidence and community-building — and Sing Up Day provides the perfect opportunity to highlight these benefits and spread its joy across your communities. Since its start as a government-funded initiative in 2007, Sing Up has continued to champion singing in education, offering more than 1,000 songs and a full primary music curriculum. How to take part Schools, choirs, and community groups can: Register for free Download all resources Add their event to the global map Submit video clips for the Digi-choir (deadline: 16 April 2026) Find out more at www.singup.org/sing-up-day

On 26 May and 30 June 2023, Sing Up Foundation, Singing for Health Network and Music for Good are partnering to deliver an online conference to spotlight research and practice in Singing for Mental Health and Wellbeing with a focus on Children and Young People. The conference will be split up into two days to cover this vast and growing area of work. The first day will focus on innovative practice and approaches by practitioners and organisations and the second will focus on sharing research from projects led by practitioner-researchers, early career researchers and established researchers. Practitioners, researchers and organisations can now submit proposals to present at the conference and get involved. More information is available on the Singing for Health website: https://www.singingforhealthnetwork.co.uk/call-for-papers The deadline for all submissions is Thursday, 6 April 2023. Bookings are now open to those who would like to attend the two-day online conference on 26 May 2023 and 30 June 2023. Book now via the Singing for Health Network website: https://www.singingforhealthnetwork.co.uk/event-details/singing-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing-spotlight-on-children-and-young-people-2023-05-26-09-00

See the full schedule of our two-day online conference 'Singing for Mental Health and Wellbeing: Spotlight on Children and Young People'. Run in partnership with Music for Good and the Singing for Health Network, the conference will run on 26 May and 30 June 2023 and recordings will be made available for all ticket holders. Book your tickets now - there are one and two-day tickets available. https://bit.ly/SHNBookCYPTicket Full schedule - May 26th - Focus on inclusion and working with vulnerable groups 9:30-10:00 – Welcome and housekeeping - Intro to the Sing Up Foundation and the Singing for Health Network 10:00-10:30 – Tom Benjamin - An inclusive approach to music-making . Presentation on research exploring practical ways of adopting and modifying music scores through technology, to allow for more inclusive access 10:30-11:00 – Abigail Mann-Daraz - Developing a research and evidence-informed approach to working with autism, ensuring inclusive practice and participant voice are central to promote well-being 11:00-11:15- Break 11:15-12:00 – Emily Foulkes - Presentation of a trauma-informed singing programme and trauma-informed principles 12:00–13:00 – Panel discussion on inclusive practice - chaired by Dr Andrew McWilliams, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Researcher, University College London, Kings College Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital and Sing Up Foundation Trustee 13:00-13:45 – LUNCH 13:45-14:30 – Dr Hala Jaber, Professor Helen Phelan and Dr Fran Garry from the University of Limerick will present their new report for the first time. This research explored the benefits of 'Singing on the mental health of young refugees and unaccompanied minors' and implemented a literature review and evaluation, with a focus on developing recommendations on how to set up and run sessions/projects 14:30-14:45 – Break 14:45-15:30 – Q&A and panel discussion on implications and principles for practice - working with refugees and migrant minors, chaired by Dr Andrew McWilliams 15:30-15:50 – Break out rooms/ networking / sharing discussion 15:50-16:00 - Closing June 30th - Implications for practice and examining the notion and measurement of well-being 9:30-9:45 – Welcome and housekeeping 9:45-10:30 – Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring and Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein - Psychobiological Responses to Choral Singing in Mentally Ill and Healthy Children and Adolescents: Results of Preliminary Studies in Salzburg 10:30-10:50 – Kat Lord Watson & Stephen Deazley - Singing for Wellbeing in Scottish Schools. Presentation of research analysing the impact of the Singing for Wellbeing programme on the wellbeing outcomes of primary school children 10:50-11:00 – BREAK 11:00-11:20 – Fiona Evison – Relational Composition for Post-Pandemic Well-being in a Canadian Children’s Choir – Presentation reporting on the findings of research introducing composing for enhanced well-being to choristers 11:20-12:20 – Panel discussion on 'What is well-being and how can we measure it?' 12:20-13:00- BREAK 13:00-13:30 – Kevin Stannard & Rebecca Thompson- Collective nouns: give us a clew! Findings from a multi-modal compositional project in Coventry designed for younger pupils across the KS1/KS2 divide 13:30-14:00 – Jane Gosine - The neurodiverse youth choir: a model for more inclusive choral communities to support wellbeing. Presentation on principles and elements of practice and pedagogy from a youth choir project in Canada 14:00-14:30 – Dr Sarah Glew - Finding My Voice and Forming Our Place: Understanding the Effects of a Participatory Singing, Music and Drama Project on Wellbeing for Autistic Young People 14:30-14:45 – BREAK 14:45-15:15 - Lisa Price - Developing student self-efficacy through singing and music in primary school by designing a practical tool for the classroom teacher. What is self-efficacy, how can we measure it and how can we ensure we support the development of it? 15:15-16:00 - Anupa Paul and Teresa Shaw - Introduction to Music Performance Anxiety and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles as a potential practical tool for singing teachers Programme for both days subject to change

Sign up to be the first to know when this brand new report is available. The research conducted by Dr Hala Jaber, Dr Fran Garry and Professor Helen Phelan from the University of Limerick's Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and commissioned by Sing Up Foundation will include a literature review and collection of case studies, interviews and recommendations for further development of work in this area. The research is supported by the British Council through Sing Up Foundation's work on developing the legacy of the World Voice programme. As part of this work, the research team, headed up by Dr Hala Jaber, have conducted a literature review and evaluation of the benefits of singing on the mental health of young refugees and unaccompanied minors; developed recommendations on how to set up and run sessions and projects in future; and built a repository of research and evaluations in this field for the benefit of organisations looking to develop their practice in this area. Dr Hala Jaber and colleagues will be presenting their research for the first time on 26 May 2023 at an online conference run by Sing Up Foundation in partnership with Singing for Health Network and Music for Good. Please follow the button below to submit your details. Related News: PRESS RELEASE: Sing Up Foundation appoints a team of researchers from University of Limerick PRESS RELEASE: Sing Up Foundation continues legacy of the British Council’s World Voice programme

This brand new music education podcast explores the benefits of singing on mental health and wellbeing, with new episodes out every fortnight. Inspiring Voices is a new music education podcast from the Sing Up Foundation where we consider the unique role of singing, songwriting, voice exploration and creative music-making in improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Join Joint Head of Foundation Baz Chapman and his guests - singers, leaders, researchers and other specialists - in inspiring conversations about their own work and experiences, sharing advice, support and inspiration. Our research conversations will also explore the benefits of singing. ​ A great listen for teachers, school leaders, teaching students, community workers, music leaders, singing leaders, choir leaders, charity and mental health workers. Follow, subscribe and leave us a review. Inspiring Voices is available on: Spotify: https://bit.ly/IVPodSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/45ZCVTx Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3raZXrF Audible: https://adbl.co/3MrTjVF Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/IVPodGoogle Each episode can also be viewed on YouTube: https://bit.ly/IVPodPlaylist Leave us a comment or get in touch to let us know any topics that you'd like us to cover or who you would like us to interview in future episodes of our podcast. The first season, funded through support received by Sing Up and the Sing Up Foundation from Round 3 of Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund, features interviews with: Sophie Garner - Sophie Garner is a singer described by the Times as 'one of the most stylish British vocalists', as well as being a music specialist, educator, speaker, and author of two books: The Creative Songwriting Journal and If You Can't Say It, Sing It! Sophie seeks to change lives through singing and songwriting. Aga Serugo-Lugo - Aga Serugo-Lugo is a vocalist, clarinettist, composer and workshop leader whose interests lie particularly in narrative-based community music-making, focussing on accessibility and inclusivity. He has worked with, amongst many others, Music in Detention, Trinity Laban, MENCAP, Wigmore Hall, Sing Up and numerous opera companies around the UK. He also co-runs Camberwell Community Choir and is Ambassador for Britten Pears Arts' 'Group A' in Lowestoft and Ipswich. Chris Morris - Chris Morris is a community musician working in and around Sheffield. He has helped to set up recording studios for community use, organises music events and Festivals and is a guide and mentor to many young musicians in the city. He is lead practitioner with Yorkshire Youth & Music working with young people in Youth Justice Settings and secure children’s homes, whom they describe as one of their exceptional music leaders, working as he does with some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people, so that they can discover, explore and develop their musical and creative potential. Jane Wheeler - Jane Wheeler is a freelance music education consultant and Director of Living Song, who works with a passion for raising the quality of music-making, developing young leaders and fostering community cohesion. Her many roles have included Music Advisor for the London Borough of Newham, Director of the music programme for ARK Schools, and Director of several choirs including Solid Harmony Youth Community Choir, Forest Voices adult community choir and New Young Voice Collective. Since 2014, Jane has been a leader for British Council’s World Voice programme. Mark Bick - Mark is a renowned and highly experienced community musician and trainer. Most of his working life based in Gloucestershire, particularly starting up what has now become The Music Works. He also worked in the West Midlands developing and leading training courses, including the Quench Arts New Horizons course, which has been running for nearly 20 years. The core of Mark’s work has been with young people who struggle with various barriers, including those excluded from school, who are looked after, or have disabilities. Mark is Vice Chair of Sound Sense, the UK professional association for community musicians. Professor Graham Welch - Professor Graham Welch is Chair of Music Education at University College London, Chair of the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research and is heavily involved in the International Society for Music Education. He is a former member of the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council Review College for Music and has published numerous research papers into music and particularly singing, not least ‘Researching the Impact of the National Singing Programme ‘Sing Up' in England’ in 2011. SK Shlomo - SK Shlomo is an international non-binary beatbox star, former world looping champion, 3-times TEDx speaker and disability & mental health ambassador. They are also founder of the Beatbox Academy and long-time friend of Sing Up, being as they are, particularly gifted at, and committed to, working with children and young people. Ben Turner – Ben Turner is a Creative Manager, Community Leader, Award-winning Educator and Youth Arts Leader with experience in education, youth activism and creative arts/entertainment. Founding Director of Rap Club Productions C.I.C (home of The Spit Game, SpokenLDN, KingdomLDN), working against serious youth violence and promoting positive youth communities and cultures. He supports schools to embrace young Black cultures and creativity within the curriculum. He is a regular conference speaker and endorsed by the Home Office, TeachFirst, BBC and others for approach to youth work/education. David Lawrence - David Lawrence is one of the UK’s most versatile conductors, who works with symphony orchestras and bands, and with choirs and choruses of all types. But David may be best known as Principal Conductor of the Young Voices arena concerts with thousands of school children.

Help us shape the future of our podcast and add your thoughts to our Inspiring Voices Podcast Listener Survey . We want your voice to be heard and we need your valuable input to make our podcast even better! Please take a few minutes to complete our listener survey and let us know what you love and what you'd like to hear more of. We'd love your feedback! Please complete the survey on Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T5STYM7

Many, many thanks to the London Oriana Choir who have selected the Sing Up Foundation as their chosen charity for this concert season. They have just released their 2024/25 concert programme and will be collecting donations for the Sing Up Foundation at these performances. Please check out their concert programme and if you are either in London or passing through, check them out! As part of this season, the London Oriana Choir will also be performing in Oxford in November 2024 and Padua and Venice, Italy in May 2025. Please also consider donating to the Sing Up Foundation and help us continue our work. London Oriana Choir Concert Programme

Our new series of Inspiring Voices is coming soon. We thought you might a quick preview of who we will be talking to and what we'll be talking about over the first few episodes of this series. In the first few episodes, we'll be talking to - John Kelly and Jenny Young talk about singing for those with disabilities and care experienced children & young people  Dr Naomi Fisher and Emily Foulkes explore singing for those children & young people struggling with their mental health  Dr Hala Jabber and Jim Pinchin give an insight into the critical role of singing as a connector and mental health support for displaced children & young people  Abi Mann-Daraz and Alice Nicholls discuss singing to support neurodiversity for children & young people   Sally Spencer and Merel van der Knoop share ways to support the wellbeing of children & young people with long-term health conditions through singing  The Inspiring Voices Podcast features conversations exploring the role of singing, songwriting, voice exploration and creative music-making in transforming young people's mental health and wellbeing.

Many thanks to BAST for inviting us onto their Singing Teachers Talk podcast. You can find the episode and their podcast on Spotify, Apple and other podcast platforms or you can watch the interview below. Listen in to hear us chat about singing research, the benefits of singing, Sing Up and the Foundation's roots and much more.