The new Diocesan Schools Singing Programme has been launched with two new Choral Directors appointed by the Archdiocese. Victor Wong and Theodora Sharp started work at the beginning of September, and other Choral Director appointments are expected to follow to cover more of the Archdiocese.

Victor, who will be working mainly with the 13 schools in Our Lady & All Saints Multi Academy Company (MAC) centered around Solihull, holds a music performance diploma from Trinity College, London, a BA in Music and an MA in Music Performance and is also qualified in providing specialist support for teaching and learning in schools.

Theodora will be working mainly in the 12 schools in the Holy Cross and Holy Spirit MACs in Coventry and Nuneaton. She also holds a performance diploma from Trinity College together with a BA in music performance. She has previously worked in schools in Cambridgeshire under the Ely Cathedral Schools Programme.

It is intended that some schools that are not part of MACs will join the Programme over the Autumn term, with MACs in other parts of the Archdiocese joining next year.

Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “I am delighted to see that the Schools Singing Programme is starting work in our Archdiocese this year, already involving 25 of our schools. It is important because it will deepen our young people’s appreciation for the beauty of music in the liturgy, with its ability to touch the soul.  I am very grateful to the benefactors who have made the Programme possible. It has my full support, and I would commend it to all schools in the Archdiocese.  I am very much looking forward to seeing and hearing the results of the Programme as it develops over the next few years.”

For more information on the Programme please email: keith.ainsworth@rcaob.org.uk