Thousands Sing their Heart Out at Big Mix

PUPILS from Tiverton were amongst 5,000 others from across Devon at Exeter’s Mix festival and Big Sing. Organisers had compared the event to “a mini Glastonbury Festival, with an educational angle.”

The event was held on June 24 at Westpoint Arena, and involved 125 different schools with the highlight being the Big Sing, when 5,000 children got together with teachers and assistants, to belt out three songs: Lovely Day, Stand By Me and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

The day is now in its fifth year, and is organised by Devon Music Service and Sing Up Devon. A youth choir made up of several children from schools in Tiverton and Honiton, also sang an astronaut melody.

Vocal leader from the Devon Music Service, and Sing Up, Claire Anstee, has been visiting schools in both Tiverton and Honiton, helping pupils learn the song. She said: “The atmosphere was really electric - it’s like a big rock concert. It’s an experience some of the children here have never experienced before.

“I’ve visited all the schools in Tiverton and Honiton in the past six weeks who are here today, and together we’ve been learning all the songs.”

Headteacher from Bickleigh-on-Exe Primary School, David Goode added: “Claire has been a great help in going around helping the schools learn these songs.

“We’ve been having regular practice in school and the children have really loved it, the enjoyment of singing has increased throughout the whole year.”

Tidcombe Primary School year six teacher, Cari Bright said: “We’ve been practicing for a month but the children picked up the lyrics in about a week. They picked it up really fast.

“We’ll be back again next year so long as it’s not raining. The weather today has meant it’s been excellent day to be outdoors.”

As well as the Big Sing, there were also 15 zones where pupils did musical workshops including steel pan works, Djembe with Denniskigogo, and junk band.

Louise Oxenham, a senior teacher from Wilcombe Primary School said: “I took 20 children today who had shown an interest in music, and they all had a brilliant time. We did a workshop, watched an electric guitar demonstration, and a Latin band. It’s been a really good day.

“I’ve been once before, and this time was definitely a lot better - it felt it gelled a lot more smoothly.”

Devon Pagett, 10, also from Wilcombe Primary School added “I’ve never seen so many schoolchildren in the same place before.“It was a cool day. I thought it was going to be boring but it wasn’t. I learned how to beatbox and breakdance.”