500 young singers will unite at the Royal Concert Hall this Christmas for Inspire’s annual musical showcase

Published 1st December 2023

Over 500 young singers from across Nottinghamshire will be taking to the stage this December at An Inspire Christmas Concert, Inspire’s annual evening of Christmas carolling and school choir performances to welcome the start of the festive season.

This year’s concert celebrates another remarkable year of music education and partnership with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Inspire’s music tuition programmes with Early Years, Primary and Secondary schools reach over 17,000 children annually.

A school group sing on stage with their tutor

Music lovers can look forward to an exciting line up of choral music and solo performances from our stage and live foyer musicians, which include Inspire Broxtowe Swing Band and Inspire Musicians Collective, who will be delivering some timeless Christmas classics, mashups of Christmas carols, pitch battles and new contemporary arrangements in spectacular fashion. New to this year’s showcase is Paradox Orchestra, who are set to perform alongside many of our stage singers. Additionally, we are proud to be introducing sign language pieces performed by KS2 students for the first time this year. Guests and online viewers can look forward to another special video from Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir, led by Inspire’s Assistant Musical Director and Vocal Lead Daniela Smith.

The festive extravaganza, sponsored by Arc Partnership, will be guided by the familiar presence of BBC broadcaster John Hess, who has hosted the evening since 2016 and always wears a cheerful Christmas jumper for the occasion! We are thrilled to be welcoming back John Blow Primary School, The Joseph Whitaker School, South Nottinghamshire Academy, The Minster School Southwell and many more schools who will be returning and taking part in the showcase.

Inspire delivers the following services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council: public libraries, archives, arts, Instrumental Music Teaching in schools, Adult Learning, 16-24 College, Nottinghamshire Music Hub and the Education Library Service. Inspire is also an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, delivering a program for children and young people.

Peter Gaw, Chief Executive at INSPIRE commented; “we’re excited to be welcoming An Inspired Christmas Concert back for its eighth year, with a bigger program than ever before! The concert is a milestone in the learning journey of thousands of students who are tutored by Inspire, and truly kicks off Christmas in our calendar”.

Tickets are on sale now at the Royal Concert Hall at £5 for adults and £3 for live stream/concession/children. To book tickets, visit www.trch.co.uk or call the Royal Concert Hall Box Office on 0115 989 5555.