Young Voices: Midlands and Shropshire schools join choirs at Birmingham Genting Arena - with pictures and video

Schools from across the Black Country took part in the Young Voices 2017 event, which is being held at Birmingham's Genting Arena, in front of thousands of proud parents. And Tuesday evening's show was just the first of six nights of Young Voices concerts in the city.

Choirs had been in training since September, learning all 12 songs they performed during the show, as well as all the choreography that saw them get to their feet and dance the night away.

The children, aged from around eight to 12 years old, were some of 130,000 who are involved in the Young Voices 2017 project, which sees youngsters perform at major venues across the UK and internationally. They perform in their school choirs as part of the collective YV Choir.

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The project began in the mid-1990s when managing director David Lewis came up with the idea of making music accessible to all children. Now, Young Voices hosts 22 concerts around the UK each year, and in doing so, raises money for good causes, which this year includes music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins, and anti-hunger and anti-food waste charity FareShare.

Schools from Wolverhampton were well represented at the event, as St Anthony's Catholic Primary School had 12 pupils perform, whilst Elston Hall saw 38 pupils sing as part of the crowd. Tamsin Davis, head of St Anthony's, on Stafford Road, who was joined by choir leader and teaching assistant Samantha Barrett, said: "This is the culmination of months of hard work by the children and has given them all the chance, whatever their age and ability to come and sing. They all absolutely deserve it."

Pupil Scarlett Willoughby, aged nine, from Oxley, Wolverhampton, said: "It's really been so exciting. I would say to any other young people that want to do it, to not let fear stand in the way of something that you love and just sing."

The glittering event, which saw the children wave flashing lights throughout, was hosted by presenter Gigi Morley and conducted by renowned conductor David Lawrence.

The children sang a variety of songs, from Birdhouse In Your Soul, originally performed by American rock band They Might Be Giants, to Stronger Together, which was made popular by Gareth Malone and the Military Wives choir in 2012.

The youngsters even wowed the audience with their rendition of African song Maliswe, in the Zulu language, accompanied by African drums and instruments.

Elston Hall pupil Graham Fletcher, aged 11, of Bushbury said: "This is the first time I've performed here. I really love music and I think it's great that we have come out and have the chance to sing together."

Katie Perry, head of music at the school said: "It's amazing to see them all here. They've really been looking forward to it and fitting in extra practice when they can."

Other schools from in and around Wolverhampton that performed at the event were St Michaels CE (A) Primary, Havergal CE Primary Academy, St Bartholomew's Primary School, St. Paul's C of E (VC) First School, of Coven, East Park Primary School, SS Marys & John's Catholic Primary Academy, Perton Middle School, Claverley CE Primary School, St. Michael's Catholic Primary Academy, St Mary's CE Primary School, Birchfield School, St. Pauls CofE (A) Primary School, Featherstone Academy, Woden Primary School, Perry Hall Primary School, Manor Primary School, Uplands Junior School, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary Academy, Warstones Primary School, St Giles CE primary School and Trinity Church of England Primary School.

Dudley's Alder Coppice Primary School were involved as was Cradley CE Primary, whilst Belle Vue school, Stourbridge also took part. Andrea Perrett, musical director and teacher at the school said: "It is one of the most exciting highlights of the school year for the children and they absolutely love it."

Pupils from Beacon Primary School in Willenhall also attended, as well as a choir from Butts Primary School, Walsall and Walsall Wood Primary amongst others. Sandwell's Tividale Community Primary School and St John's Cof E Primary Academy, as well as Cooper Perry Primary School based in Seighford, Stafford, sent choirs too as did Penkridge Middle School and St Mary's C.E (VC) Primary in Kingswingford.

The song Over The Hills took the audience on a 'musical tour through the British Isles' which ended in the children singing in Welsh. Some of the songs were also translated into sign language on stage so as to be accessible to those with hearing impairments.

Several Shropshire schools also took part in the show, with Newport Junior School, Lightmoor Village Primary School, Queenswood School, William Reynolds Primary, Newdale Primary School and Nursery all being involved.

Jenny Thomas, head of the choir at Newdale Primary said: "This is just fantastic because the children get to be part of a concert and experience one at the same time.

"To be involved in something like this really gives the children a great life experience and a great cultural experience that they can take with them for the rest of their lives."

The show also included a variety of other performers, including self-proclaimed street dance specialists, Urban Strides who have previously appeared on the BBC, ITV MTV and E4. Beatbox artists, The Beatbox Collective also wowed the audience with their impressive vocals, performing a variety of sounds to recreate popular songs from Craig David and Daniel Bedingfield.

Irish musician Tabby Callaghan, who is known for finishing third on the first series of The X Factor in 2004, also performed his rendition of Guns N' Roses classic, Sweet Child o' Mine.

Jazz artist Natalie Williams also took to the stage to perform Keane's Somewhere Only We Know and Nina Simone classic Ain't Got No - I Got Life.

Parents were involved in the show too, urged to get on their feet for the remix of Justin Timberlake numbers which saw Urban Strides and creative director Andy Instone take to the stage.

Ben Lewis, managing director of Young Voices said: "When we started this event in 1996 we never thought we would end up here.

"The popularity of Young Voices has really snowballed and I think that's because we are giving children a unique opportunity – if you say to children, you have the chance to perform in the same arena where The Vamps and One Direction have performed, they bite your hand off. It's a real bucket list achievement to get up and perform in venues like this and it really makes music accessible to children who ordinarily may not have the chance to attend concerts or be part of anything like this.

"Not only that, but it gives teachers resources to be able to bring music alive to their pupils, and in an age where the arts and arts funding is the first thing to be cut, that's really important. It's a win win for everyone involved, and the children themselves do an incredible job."

Further performances at the Birmingham venue run until January 31.

The nationwide tour also features venues in Sheffield, London and Manchester before the project heads off to New York. Over the years, Young Voices choirs have performed with stars such as Alexandra Burke, Joss Stone and Gary Barlow and have raised more than £1 million for charities.