An impressive 3,000 Primary Four pupils from across the city came together to sing as one big choir at the Aberdeen Big Sing 2025 spectacular in the Duthie Park today (Wednesday 28 May).
Now in its third year, Aberdeen Big Sing is a celebration event which offers children aged 8-10-years-old the opportunity to enjoy the feel good factor that music and song can offer, a positive shared experience, and the chance to make new friendships.
Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “The music and song from the young people was wonderful. It was lovely to hear the children from our twin city of Clermont-Ferrand taking part in this year’s Big Sing. My thanks go to everyone involved who helped make this such an enjoyable event. This was a great opportunity to link up in advance of the Tall Ships which will travel from France to Aberdeen in July."
Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Aberdeen Big Sing 2025 was wonderful. It was clear from the fabulous performances by all the Primary Four pupils that they and the Aberdeen City Music Service vocal team have put in a lot of effort and enthusiasm to produce such a great event.”
The children had been taught the songs by Aberdeen City Council’s Music Service specialist vocal team. Members of the team have been visiting schools since August 2024 with their time funded through Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative.
Morag Macdonald, Youth Music Initiative Manager at Creative Scotland said: “Aberdeen Big Sing 2025 is a truly fantastic celebration of creativity, community, and the joy of making music with peers. It’s wonderful to see so many young people coming together through song, building confidence and connection along the way. Through the Youth Music Initiative, we’re proud to support the dedicated vocal team at Aberdeen City Music Service who make events like this possible. Congratulations to all the pupils, teachers and organisers for delivering such an inspiring day."
The pupils performed eight songs mostly themed around the sea to coincide with the city hosting The Tall Ships Race 2025 (19 July-22 July). Songs included A Sea Journey, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, and Colour is a Beautiful Thing.
The young singers were accompanied by the Big Sing Band which is made up of Aberdeen City Music Service and Robert Gordon College pupils, Charleston School and Ashley Road School Woodwind Ensembles, and the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band.
Primary Four pupils from five schools in Clermont-Ferrand in France, which is twinned with Aberdeen, participated in the annual event for the first time. The pupils from Ecole de Fournols; Ecole de Saint Georges sur Allier; Ecole élémentaire d'Aydat; Centre élémentaire d'Issoire and Ecole élémentaire Pierre Mendès France had taken part in various singing activities including a ‘live’ lesson and created recordings of their singing, which were broadcast at the event.
Primary Four pupils at Muirfield School commented afterwards on how much they enjoyed being part of Aberdeen Big Sing 2025. One pupil said: “I liked it. It was fun, my favourite song was “Thank You For The Music.”
Another pupil added: “It was scary and exciting being around so many other Primary Fours. I’m Still Standing was fun and I liked dancing to it.”
An estimated 2,500 family members and friends of the young singers attended the event.