6:10pm Thursday 11th June 2009
By Emma Thomas
SCHOOLCHILDREN have been singing their hearts out to packed houses at the Cliffs Pavilion.
More than 3,000 children representing 66 south Essex schools have been performing at the Westcliff theatre in the annual Junior Schools Music Festival.
Proud parents and friends have been thronging to the Cliffs to see the children perform at the festival, built around the theme of One Vision, One World.
Each night, 14 different schools and three orchestras played a two-hour show to a sold-out hall. The final show is tomorrow night. Speaking of the first event on Monday, Andrew Palmer, deputy headteacher of Heycroft Primary School, in Eastwood, said: “It was fantastic. The show was sold out and the audience were very enthusiastic.
“All the children played and sang really well. The atmosphere was electric. There were some really well known songs. Rocking All Over the World went down really well.
“It involves the children in the community and they can meet other children from different schools.”
Each night, the festival is supporting a different charity including the RNLI, Havens Hospices and Childline.
Mr Palmer added: “On Monday night we were collecting for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association and there was a talk from the charity before the final song.”
He said there is now a second generation of performers taking part in the show which has been going on for more than 40 years.
Mr Palmer added: “Some of the parents who have children in the show can remember being in it when they were at school.”
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