Children delight large audience at Blackburn's King George’s Hall

Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ was the opening number at Blackburn with Darwen’s Big Sing event, followed by the theme song to 70s show Happy Days.

Children from the juniors at schools across the borough joined together for the event last night, which followed hot on the heels of Wednesday’s Mini Sing.

Turton and Edgworth, Avondale, St James Lower Darwen, St Albans, Ashleigh, St Mary and St Joseph’s, Belmont, Feniscowles, St Peter’s RC, Wensley Fold, Sudell, St Barnabas and St Paul’s, Meadowhead Juniors, Longshaw Juniors, St Silas, St Thomas, Roe Lee, St Edward’s, Shadsworth and Lower Darwen primary schools all took part in the event. And they were joined by 35 secondary school pupils from St Bede’s and Blackburn Central High School, as well as backing music from Blackburn with Darwen’s Music Ambassador Band.

Other songs performed to a packed King George’s Hall included It’s All About You by McFly, Let It Go from the smash hit movie Frozen, a Beatles medley and Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah.

Organiser Louisa Watson, lead vocal tutor for Blackburn with Darwen Music Services, said the event was a huge success.

She said: “This is a big event for our area and this is the eighth year we have done it.

“The schools are desperate to take part and the parents and children love it.

“They get the chance to sing on the big stage in front of their families.

“It also gives them the chance to learn new musical styles and it also builds self-esteem and confidence.”

Blackburn with Darwen mayor Alan Cottam was given the best seat in the house, right in the middle of the second row.

He said: “I came to the Mini Sing as well and they were both fantastic.

“You can see all the enthusiasm and excitement in the children’s faces.”