850+ children. Two unforgettable nights. One incredible Festival of Music!
24th April 2025
The Croydon Schools Music Association (CSMA), in partnership with Croydon Music and Arts (CMA), has recently concluded its annual Festival of Music—a spectacular two-night celebration at the iconic Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Read on to discover some highlights from the event and the impact it made on the children and young people involved.
CSMA Infant Festival Choir
CSMA, a passionate music organisation of Croydon teachers, has been enriching the musical lives of young people for over 90 years. The organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities for children across primary, secondary, and special schools — whether through attending live orchestral concerts or performing in massed choirs. A standout highlight each year remains the much-loved Junior and Infant Festival Choir events.
Working closely with CMA—the Local Authority Music Service and Lead Delivery Partner for the Southwest London Music Hub—CSMA shares a powerful vision: to provide the best possible musical experiences for children across the borough. This year’s festival more than delivered on that promise.
A Joyful Celebration of Talent and Community
The event brought together CMA ensembles and the Infant and Junior massed choirs in a thrilling showcase of collaboration and creativity. It was an opportunity for children to discover their voices, build confidence, and create unforgettable memories, all while experiencing the wellbeing benefits of music-making.
On the first night, the Infant Choir, featuring approximately 350 children from eight Croydon schools, took audiences on a joyful journey through a typical school day—complete with songs about waking up, lunchtime, reading, swimming, and sharing reflections with parents at bedtime. The evening also featured performances by CMA’s Soundstart Strings, representing Howard Primary and The Minster Junior School, directed by Dee Elliott. Their performance showcased young musicians’ growing talent and passion. The event also featured a dynamics performance by the CMA Percussion Stars, directed by James Taylor, whose original composition was met with enthusiastic applause and praise.
The second night saw 500 children from 17 local schools join forces as the Junior Choir, presenting a dynamic programme titled United in Song. Spanning genres from folk and soul to rock, pop, film, and traditional music, the repertoire celebrated themes of kindness, unity, respect, and pride. With a professional live band accompanying them, the children gave a powerful and polished performance.
A particularly memorable moment came when the Junior Choir performed 3-part Siyahamba a cappella, accompanied by djembe drummers from Park Hill Junior School. In a heartwarming twist, school staff members stepping into the spotlight to sing a verse on their own. It was truly formidable.
Adding further magic, CMA’s Acoustic Group, led by Ben Tranter, performed a selection of pieces that perfectly complemented the evening’s atmosphere.
The Children’s Voices Say It All
CSMA Junior Festival Choir
The spirit of the festival was perhaps best captured in the reflections of the young performers:
- “I loved the concert—it was fun singing with so many children. The songs were catchy and challenging. My favourites were One Little Voice and Siyahamba because of the actions and harmonies.”
- “The concert and rehearsals were epic! The songs gave a vibe of happiness and joy—it was great fun!”
- “I sang a solo! It made me feel the best of joys. The final performance at Fairfield Halls was breathtaking—I felt so proud of myself.”
- “My highlight was when we waited to join in for One Little Voice—it started softly and built into something so powerful. The sound we made was amazing.”
- “The harmonies were out of this world!”
- “Being part of something this big—it’s not every day you get to sing in a massive choir!”
Behind the Scenes: Dedication and Teamwork
Rehearsals begin in January, through to March, under the guidance of choral directors Alma Burcombe (Infants) and Claire Slade (Juniors), alongside dedicated school choir teachers. Their tireless commitment ensures that every child is prepared and the performances are rousing, inspiring, and uplifting.
Looking Ahead: more musical magic to come
CMA continues to offer a wide range of musical opportunities for children and young people of all ages and abilities. We’re especially looking forward to our Summer Showcase on 1st July at Fairfield Halls.
Looking ahead to December, CSMA’s festive concert will once again bring together a vibrant mix of young performers. The event will feature an orchestra made up of CMA staff and students, alongside school choirs, drama groups, and often South Asian dance ensembles—a true celebration of Croydon’s rich cultural diversity.
CMA’s mission to “amplify the voices of children and young people in Croydon” echoed powerfully through every note at this year’s Festival of Music—a shining example of what can happen when community, creativity, and dedication come together.
