BBC Get Singing – the BBC’s biggest nationwide music education initiative in more than 10 years – has launched today.

The initiative provides teachers and vocal leaders with engaging resources to encourage collective singing among 11–14-year-olds across the UK.

BBC Get Singing has launched on BBC Bitesize, providing teachers and vocal leaders with engaging resources to encourage collective singing among 11–14-year-olds in and out of schools across the UK. Seven times Grammy Award-winning artist, composer and producer Jacob Collier is Ambassador and Advocate for BBC Get Singing, and an arrangement of his song Something Heavy will be available later this year as the BBC builds a distinctive and inspiring collection of songs to reflect and represent communities across the UK.

Over the next three years, there will be live performances and workshops for young people, and CPD (continuing professional development) for teachers and vocal leaders. The BBC will partner with singing groups and organisations across the UK to foster more opportunities to participate in Get Singing, including Music for Youth, the National Youth Choir and UD Music. A research project to explore the benefits of collective singing will also be launched.

“I am so proud that we are launching this new initiative, aimed at an age group identified by teachers as a time when children stop singing together. BBC Get Singing isn’t only about music, it’s about having a positive impact on the wellbeing of young people. Growing up as a teenager in such a noisy world is ever more challenging, so providing these opportunities is fundamental to our offering. It’s public service at its core.”

Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer

Check out the BBC Get Singing resources on BBC Bitesize HERE.

Check out new arrangements of existing songs performed by the BBC Singers: live more & love more by Cat Burns (arranged by Hannah King) and Piping Down the Valleys Wild by Bob Chilcott. More newly arranged songs will be released later this year, including Something Heavy by Jacob Collier, and further songs and resources will be released over the course of three years, with all resources available for free on BBC Bitesize. Video resources available now include physical and vocal warm-up exercises, written guidance notes, scores, backing tracks and additional videos to help teachers and students explore and learn each song.

“Music holds the power to transform a life. It transformed mine! Experiencing music from within, by singing in a choir as a child, taught me so much more than just music. I learned listening, teamwork, courage, empathy, control, humour, leadership, confidence…and so much more. Looking back to those formative years, I recognise that it was those musical moments in my early life that ultimately shaped so much of the person I was to become, and forged my attitude towards life. I’m deeply excited for all the young people, teachers and vocal leaders across the nation to have these fabulous BBC Get Singing resources to dive into, and indeed to GET SINGING!” Jacob Collier