Hampshire Kids Rock The Giant Stage in Epic Sing-Along
More than 3,500 children from 55 Hampshire schools joined forces in a colossal musical event, ‘The Giant Sing’. This huge sing-along, organised by Hampshire County Council’s Music Service, brought Oscar Wilde’s classic tale, The Selfish Giant, to life across four dazzling performances over two days.
Thousands of Young Voices Light Up The Anvil
The cast, aged 7 to 14, performed with a live band at The Anvil in Basingstoke, showcasing songs rehearsed since autumn. Drama and dance students from Kings’ School in Winchester added extra magic, while BBC Radio Solent’s Nick Girdler captivated the crowd as narrator.
“We are very proud of our music service,” said Councillor Peter Edgar, Executive Member for Education. “The Giant Sing shows how music can unite children of all ages and enrich their education.”
The Timeless Tale Behind The Sing
The Selfish Giant tells the story of a grumpy Giant who builds a wall to keep children out of his garden, causing eternal winter. When the children return, spring blossoms anew, teaching a heartwarming lesson about kindness and friendship. This musical celebrated its 30th anniversary worldwide with performances in grand theatres and cosy village halls alike.
Schools That Stole The Show
The Giant Sing featured choirs from across Hampshire’s districts, split over two days:
Tuesday 1 March
- Lead Choirs: Kings’ School, Winchester and Westgate School, Winchester
- Supporting Choirs:
- Basingstoke: Bishopswood Junior, Burham Copse, Chalk Ridge, Kingsclere Church of England, Kings Furlong Junior, Merton Junior, Winklebury Junior
- East Hampshire: Binstead Primary, Froxfield Church of England
- Eastleigh: Hambledon Primary, Netley Abbey Junior
- Gosport: Leesland Church of England Junior School
- Hart: Charles Kingsley’s Church of England, Elvetham Heath Primary
- New Forest: Burley Primary, Waterside Primary
- Rushmoor: St Michael’s Church of England Junior, Talavera Junior
- Test Valley: Andover Primary, Appleshaw St Peter’s Church of England
- Winchester: Harestock Primary
Wednesday 2 March
- Lead Choirs: Bay House School (Gosport), Horndean Technology College (East Hampshire), Hurst Community College (Basingstoke), Westgate School (Winchester)
- Supporting Choirs:
- Basingstoke: Burghclere Primary, Chalk Ridge Primary, Great Binfields Primary, South View Junior, St John’s Church of England Primary
- East Hampshire: Andrews Endowed Church of England, Bentley Church of England, Ropley Primary, Wesford Junior
- Eastleigh: Cherbourg Primary, Colden Common Primary, Knightwood Primary, Shakespeare Junior, Stoke Park Junior
- Fareham: Orchard Lea Junior, Titchfield Primary, Wicor Primary
- Gosport: Gomer Primary
- Havant: Bidbury Junior, Mengham Junior, Springwood Junior
- Hart: Church Crookham Junior, Heatherside Junior, Long Sutton Church of England, Potley Hill Primary
- New Forest: Calmore Junior, New Milton Junior, Western Downland Church of England
- Rushmoor: Park Primary, Tavistock Infants, Wellington Community Primary
- Test Valley: Longparish Church of England, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary, St Francis Church of England
With thousands of young singers, dancers, and actors taking centre stage, Hampshire’s Giant Sing was a roaring success — proving once again that music and drama play a vital role in bringing communities together.
