We are thrilled to share one of the highlights of this year’s Festival – a video compilation of the Festival Song, I am a small part of the world. This song of hope, friendship and togetherness was sung, signed, played and performed by children and young people in schools across the region. It perfectly symbolizes the Festival’s aims to celebrate the diverse languages and cultures in the region and our connections to the world and is an uplifting reminder of the power of music and song to bring light and joy.
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible and to all the schools and more than 2000 young people who participated in the project. We hope you enjoy and share the compilation video of performances. Click here to view the video on you tube
The aim of the Festival Song project was to enable children and young people to:
- express themselves through music, song and sign
- explore and enjoy singing in languages they are learning or speak at home and in their community
- promote conversations about different languages and cultures within schools and communities
It has been amazing to lead this project, be part of the Festival’s celebration of languages and cultures in the region and to enable so many schools and children to get involved through music. We can’t wait to start planning for next year!
Georgina Biddle, Music Partnership North (Newcastle)
It has been wonderful to see such a wide range of responses to the song, from schools around the North East, as well as partner schools in Newcastle’s twin city of Nancy in France!
Music is a universal language and this virtual performance is a perfect example of music crossing languages, musical instruments and communities. Well done to everyone for your performances and a massive thank you to staff in schools for your support.
Gareth Williams, Music Partnership North (Newcastle)
Acknowledgements and thanks
- All teachers and school staff who supported children with their involvement and all the children and young people who took part
- Georgina Biddle for leading the project and Gareth Williams for arranging the music and compiling the video from Music Partnership North (Newcastle)
- Dr Paul Whittaker OBE for providing the signed version of the song
- All Music Education Services and Hubs in the region who supported schools
- Declan Baharini, International Newcastle and Sarah Edgar, Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness) for helping devise, steer, support and publicise the project
- Staff and students from Newcastle and Durham Universities, as well as community teachers and native speakers who provided translations of the song into 20+ languages.
- Steven Fawkes (Association of Language Learning) whose original idea this was and for promoting the activity across the region
