Whyteleafe’s got talent as school choir take centre stage at Dorking Halls

Pupils from Whyteleafe School had a chance to showcase the school’s musical ability recently when they took part in a choral concert at the Dorking Halls, organised by Surrey Arts.

A group of 60 children from Years Three to Six teamed up with singers from eight other local schools for the annual extravaganza of young singing talent, which has become a regular feature on the local schools calendar over the past decade.

Following a two-hour pre-show rehearsal at the venue, the Whyteleafe choir sang a selection of popular hits from West End musicals, before the second half of the concert which included participation from the audience - which included many Whyteleafe families.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the children and all the effort they put in,” said music teacher Emma McCheyne. “Music isn’t just something we focus on for big occasions like this, it’s an important part of the curriculum here at Whyteleafe. The choir have already performed at the Royal Albert Hall this academic year, and at Christmas they were involved in the Carols evening and Grandparents’ tea party."

It is not just about the choir, however – instrumental music is also prominent. “We have an orchestra and recorder groups, and in Year Four all children learn the clarinet for a year, then in Year Five they have a term of learning the ukulele,” Mrs McCheyne explained. “It’s
great for the school to have the platform of events like the Dorking Halls concert to show the work it’s doing in teaching music – and it’s great for the children to have that chance to show what they can do too. It makes them very proud, and rightly so.”