A 1500-strong choir of school children from different Manchester schools joined forces last week to sing a medley of famous Manchester anthems through the years to celebrate the launch of the Manchester Music Hub.
The prestigious Bridgewater Hall was the setting for a 'Manchester Sound' sing song that will saw pupils sing their way through a playlist of Manchester classics - from Herman's Hermits, through to the Ting Tings, via Oasis, the Bee Gees, New Order, and 10cc.
Pupils were accompanied by a live band of professional musicians from One Education's music staff - whose day jobs are giving music lessons to young people in schools and other settings across the city.
The event is an annual event in the schools' music calendar, but this year held special significance as it also celebrated the launch of The Manchester Music Hub.
The Manchester Music Hub will deliver music education services for young people throughout the city and has been formed following a successful funding bid earlier this year to Government as part of their plan to ensure that every child has a chance to fulfil their musical potential.
The successful bid was commissioned by Manchester City Council's Children's Services. Hub partners - One Education Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Brighter Sounds Organisation - will now work together across the city to deliver musical opportunities, both in school and out of school, for local children and young people.
Councillor Afzal Khan, Executive Member, Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester has always hit the high notes as far as music-making goes and our successful bid - although it comes against a backdrop of reduced national funding for music - means that together with our other partners in the hub, we can continue to ensure a wide range of musical opportunities are available for children and young people in the city.
"Education is not just about being good at Maths and English. It's just as important that we do everything we can to enrich the education of young people in other ways too and The Manchester Music Hub is going to really help with this."
Kieran McDermott, Chief Executive, One Education Limited, said: "The Manchester Music Hub is all about investing in our young people's future and also in our city's musical future. Music has always played a big part in helping people and whole communities feel good about themselves and it's important that we do everything we can to encourage and nurture tomorrow's musicians, today."
Pupils from more than 35 schools took part in the event at the Bridgewater Hall, after spending the last few weeks practising their songs, devising their fancy dress and preparing to create the fantastic atmosphere which is the hallmark of this well established annual event.
Lindsay Thomas, Head of Music at One Education Music, said: "The Big Sing is always a really popular event with schools, and what better way to launch the Manchester Music Hub, than with a Manchester Sound sing song. Manchester bands including James, M People and the Bee Gees were all given the Big Sing treatment."