Established in 2024 the Schools Singing Programme (SSP) is a Diocesan music education programme which works in partnership with schools and parishes to develop musical provision and sacred singing across the diocese.
For more information about how your school can join the programme please email singing@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Our Choral Directors run whole-class singing sessions in primary schools on a weekly basis, and these form the foundation for local after-school choirs which serve parish and school liturgies.
Our sessions follow a rich and broad curriculum, offering the best in sacred and secular songs, all of which are carefully chosen to develop the children’s vocal and musical development and enrich school collective worship and Masses. The NSSP initiative takes inspiration from the model developed by the Diocese of Leeds in 2003. You can watch a short BBC documentary about the model to find out more.
“We have absolutely loved having Mr Cannon in our school – he is doing wonders with our children, really working on their pitch map and getting them excited about singing! I hear them in the playground and all around the corridors because they can’t stop singing!”
The SSP works in catholic schools across the diocese and is actively welcoming new schools to the programme.
Email singing@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk for more info.
Meet the Director
Neil Cannon is an experienced music educator and conductor, trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a background in composition, orchestral, and choral direction. He has led choirs in performances at major venues including Westminster Abbey, St George’s Cathedral, and St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest. His work spans traditional choral music, community choirs, scholarship programmes, and a cappella groups, and he is always thrilled to hear whole-school singing in full voice!
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