Primary Schools Voice Festivals

These festivals will take the place of the Wiltshire Singing schools program and schools that sign up and participate will become a recognised Singing Schools for the year.

We currently have 33 schools in Wiltshire signed up for these festivals for A/Y 2025-26.

Please encourage schools to sign up and get involved.

We are thrilled to invite Wiltshire schools to participate in the renowned Voice Festivals 2025/26, proudly presented by Swindon Music Service in collaboration with Swindon and Wiltshire Schools.

A 30-Year Tradition of Musical Excellence

For three decades, our Swindon Voice Festivals have provided children across the region with an unforgettable performance experience. Each year, approximately 1,000 young voices take the stage across four performances per festival, creating memories that last a lifetime!  And we are now opening this up to Wiltshire schools.

What Makes Our Festivals Special?

  • Professional Theatre Experience: Children perform at the magnificent Wyvern Theatre in Swindon (now open to other venues in Wiltshire).
  • Live Professional Band: A seven-piece band performs in the orchestra pit, accompanying the children.
  • NEW for 2025/26: Additional performances at Bradford on Avon, making it easier for North Wiltshire schools to participate and City Hall Salisbury for South Wiltshire Schools. We are also hoping to perform at Tidworth Garrison Theatre too (Watch this space!)

Three Fantastic Festivals Throughout the Year:

Christmas Festival In November of each year

  • Bradford on Avon Wiltshire Music Centre November each year.
  • Salisbury City Hall November each year
  • Swindon Wyvern Theatre November each year

Also…

Junior Voice Festival In March of each year

Infant Voice Festival In July of each year

With more venues coming soon!

Each festival runs over one to two days with approximately 40 schools participating (around 10 schools per performance).  Shows take place at 4:45pm and 7:30pm, each lasting approximately one hour.  (Each school is only able to perform in one of the scheduled times and dates).

Perfect for Swindon & Wiltshire Schools!

Wiltshire schools can participate in the 7:30pm performances, with children needing to arrive by 6:00pm for rehearsal.  This timing allows parents to transport children directly to the venue, eliminating the need for coach transportation!  The earlier performance times can also be available to you if you would prefer to the later one.

Comprehensive Support for Teachers:

  • CPD Session: Two months before each festival to learn choral techniques and songs
  • A Special Recorded CPD can also be available for those who cannot make the face-to-face CPD.
  • Complete Resource Package: Vocal tracks, backing tracks, vocal scores, and lyric sheets
  • Guidance Materials: Detailed information for staff and parents in the lead-up, during and after the festivals.

Tickets will be available through the Wiltshire Music Centre for Bradford on Avon, Salisbury City Hall and The Wyvern Theatre Box Office Swindon, once all schools have confirmed their performance, dates, and times and SMS has let schools know that the tickets are on sale.

Don’t miss this opportunity to give your students the thrill of performing on a professional stage with professional musician to a packed audience.

To register your interest or for more information, please reply to this email or contact us at Lhawkins@smscio.co.uk

Let’s make beautiful music together in 2025/26!

With nearly 1,000 children participating in each festival series, spaces fill quickly – secure your school’s spot today!

Here is just a taste of what school have said about the festivals…

“Thank you for all of your work in running the JVF – the children had a lovely time 🙂.
Thanks also to the band – what a great sound”! 

“Apologies that this has taken so long to send but I just wanted to acknowledge how fantastic the JVF was. I made it to the Head’s seat for the first time, so I was able to enjoy it all as a member of the audience. It was spectacular. Well done all. I know it is such hard work but what a showcase.”

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you, the orchestra and all those behind the scenes of IVF. 

“It was a privilege to watch you all in action…as I said on the night, you were magical to watch – you had those children every single minute of the rehearsal & performance…no mean feat!  Thank you all – I went home on such a high and sang the songs (well, the lines I know!) into the weekend”.

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say a HUGE thank you for the effort you put into the junior voice festival. It was such a pleasure to participate in a live singing event again and the children loved every minute! You always put together such a lovely range of songs for all to access, it’s very much appreciated.” 😊 

 

“Our School did the Junior Voice festival last Tuesday and really enjoyed it, thank you for the great presentation and sorry for not dancing. My excuse is that I wasn’t near the aisle… 

“Thank you very much to you and the band for the CVF performance; the children had a great time and I’ve had several really positive comments from parents”. 

“You may not have been able to spot it from where you were, but a bunch of our Yr3s were dancing and adding hand movements all of the way through – totally absorbed in the music”.