Impact Report 2022-2023

14 ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD

Music Initiatives

Music has continued to be a large part of our partnership work. We partnered up with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and hosted a ‘Come and Play’ strings day. Pupils from five local primary and secondary schools, joined with St Edward’s pupils and coached by musicians from the Philharmonic, produced a wonderful concert for families and friends at the end of the day.

We welcomed back Turtle Opera in May and June. Turtle Opera is a creative project for young people aged 11-14 who are on the Autism Spectrum and have an interest in music or drama. The highlight of the partnerships musical year was Zimbe! by Alexander L’Estrange. During Gaudy, the annual celebration of the arts at the end of the Summer Term, the largest choral gathering of primary school children in Oxford took place in the Olivier, as 250 primary and prep school pupils joined the St Edward’s Singers, Chapel Choir and a jazz Octet and performed Zimbe! Come, sing the songs of Africa! an uplifting celebration of traditional songs from all over Africa in jazz style. Year 5 and 6 pupils joined us from Cutteslowe Primary School, Wolvercote Primary School, the Dragon School and St Thomas Cantilupe Primary School, Hereford. After rehearsing together from late morning, parents then joined us for the final concert at 3.30pm – which really lifted the roof with its joy and enthusiasm.