Cathedral Music Trust - Small Sounds

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“This is a superb opportunity to really grow excellence in singing from an early age and to build relationships with families so they feel comfortable engaging with music and feel at home in the cathedral space.”: Alexander Binns, Director of Music, Derby Cathedral

Small Sounds was launched by Cathedral Music Trust in 2024 to provide free weekly music groups for young children and their families in cathedrals across the country. The programme addresses a need to provide high-quality music-making opportunities for children (alongside their parents/carers) from the very beginning of their lives.

The aim of Small Sounds is to introduce children to the joy and benefits of singing from an early age, fostering an enthusiasm for music that may, for many, lead to membership of a children’s choir, for some, eventually to choristership.

Over a 3-year period, the Trust’s aim is to engage 1,500 children aged 0-5 and their families in music-making activities in twelve cathedral settings across the British Isles. Our long-term objective is that Small Sounds will continue to be delivered by partner cathedrals beyond the life of the funded programme and become fully integrated into the work of the cathedral music department.

The launch year is progressing well with weekly free-to-access music sessions for young children and their parents and carers launched in four cathedrals (Chester, Newcastle, Derby, Middlesborough) in autumn 2024. Rochester Cathedral held a taster session during this period before launching music sessions in January 2025.

From September to December 2024, 28 Small Sounds’ sessions were delivered by participating cathedrals. 156 families have engaged with the Small Sounds programme with an average of 12 children and families attending Small Sounds music sessions each week.  10 cathedral musicians from 6 cathedrals completed the Small Sounds residential training programme in summer 2024.

Musicians receive resources including a wide range of instruments and puppets to be used during Small Sounds sessions and specially created ‘song sacks’ to help families to continue music-making activities at home. Participating musicians continue to receive online training and support for the duration of the two year project.

Read more testimonials here