GDST Sing! Day

On Sunday 25 February, the Royal Academy of Music welcomed nearly 90 GDST students from 20 different schools. Each school nominated some of their most talented musicians for the second GDST Sing! day. It provided an excellent opportunity for girls from various regions to unite for a day of collaboration and performance in a splendid choir setting. Throughout the day, participants learned new pieces and revisited familiar ones under the guidance of the esteemed choral director and presenter, Tori Longdon, known for her work coaching choirs for the coronation of King Charles III.

The centrepiece of the event was the stirring cantata ‘The Girl from Aleppo,’ which recounts the remarkable true story of Nujeen Mustafa, a courageous teenager born with cerebral palsy. Her daunting journey from war-torn Syria to Germany in a wheelchair serves as a poignant testament to resilience, determination, and hope, shedding light on one of the pressing humanitarian crises of our era, the Syrian refugee crisis.

During the concert, composer Cecilia McDowall and lyricist Kevin Crossley-Holland shared insights into the creation of this remarkable work. The event featured exceptional individual performances, culminating in a magnificent rendition of ‘Seasons of Love’ from the musical Rent by the combined voices of the GDST students.

Overall, the event was a resounding success, offering an inspiring and empowering experience for all participants to sing alongside the finest voices within the GDST community.

Mr Marcus Suryani
Director of Music