North East kids celebrate National Music Day

2,000 pupils from 39 schools across Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland, and Newcastle, joined together to perform at this year’s ‘Big Gig’ organised by Newcastle City Council’s Music Service (Music Partnership North Newcastle).

The live performance took place at the Vertu Motors Arena, Scotswood Road, Newcastle, on Wednesday 21st June and was also streamed live online.

The project was free to all singers, music groups and any class or classes receiving any form of whole-class instrumental tuition from primary and middle schools, with most only taking up an instrument or singing in the last year.

Cllr Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for a Growing City, Newcastle City Council said: “National Music Day is a chance to appreciate the many ways that music, both making it and enjoying it, brings people together and it is great to see so many of the regions’ children perform together in celebration of this.

“Giving young people in our city access to new learning and development opportunities is one of our key commitments and I look forward to seeing this project continuing as an annual event”

A Steel Pan group from Stocksfield Avenue entertained the audience before the concert which had a ‘back to the 80s’ theme.

All the children involved worked hard, supported by the Newcastle’s Music Service, to bring this performance together which is likely to become an annual event in the calendar.