MALDON primary schools came together to perform in a Christmas concert after ten weeks of free singing tuition.

Maldon Primary School, in Wantz Chase, St Francis Primary School, in West Chase, and Tollesbury Primary School, in East Street, performed together at a concert showcase for family and friends.

The pupils had been receiving tuition from the BIG Sing Choir, who aim to support children experience music.

More than 100 children across the three schools took part in the free workshops over ten weeks.

Dida Burrell, head teacher at Maldon Primary, said: “Children have been dragged out of their shell into the limelight and loved every minute.

“The smiles on their faces at the concert lit up the room and left the adults glassy eyed with pride.”

Tollesbury head teacher, Kate Garrett added: “It has been a brilliant ten weeks. The children have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and their self-confidence has grown so much.

“The passion and enthusiasm that the teacher brought to the lessons each week was so lovely to witness.”

The LITTLE Sing kids choir started five years ago, and was the idea of BIG Sing choir leader Gemma Francis.

She explained: “The kids’ choir was born after we identified the need to get our children singing uplifting music.

“If you look at the pop music industry it is getting darker and darker. Lyrics are becoming more sexualised, materialistic and about greed. I felt compelled to find songs that kids should be singing.

“We want to capture what we have created and take it to those who can’t come to us, giving more people in our community an opportunity to sing motivating songs when they may not have considered it before.”

The BIG Sing plan to take the project to as many schools as possible in Essex, London, Suffolk and Kent.

To find out more, visit facebook.com/theBIGsingsoul or email sandra@bigsingsoul.org.uk.