WHAT could be more delightful than watching a large group of youngsters singing their hearts out to old fashioned British tunes?

There was something so endearing about watching the concentration on all the little faces of children on the Wyvern Theatre stage as they belted out song after song, accompanied by a live band and a conductor.

Every year Swindon Schools and Swindon Music Service performs songs to a crowd of proud parents and grandparents and each and every child did their loved ones proud. The young people on stage, who were representing a mix of Swindon primary schools, including Catherine Wayte, St Francis, Ferndale and Gorse Hill, started with old favourite All Around My Hat and the audience couldn’t help but smile at the different expressions they could see. Some children were clearly in their element, while others were more shy of the situation.

We had songs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but for me a real favourite was Charlie Is My Darling, as the gusto the children put into the song was admirable; their excitement was infectious and it was lovely to see them mimicking the conductor when it came to actions for each tune.

Before the final few songs, the headteachers, chairs of governors and class teachers were all thanked for their support leading up to this show, but the biggest round of applause was saved for the children; the loudness of that cheer nearly raised the roof of the Wyvern Theatre, and rightly so.

The last song of the night was Roll The Old Chariot Along, which I have personally loved watching my seven-year-old daughter Mya enthusiastically rehearse at home over the last couple of months, and the audience were asked to get involved by singing harmonies. It was great fun for everyone concerned, even if some of us did sound terrible.

As the evening came to an end you could see many of the boys and girls start to yawn and rub their eyes. After all, it was past many of their bedtimes. To see all those young people singing together would warm even the coldest of hearts. - KEL JOBANPUTRA