Primary school children across the Isle of Wight are preparing to sing out in celebration of their home, heritage and hopes for the future with a new series of songs.
Teachers and schools are being encouraged to sign up to take part in the initiative that will culminate in a public concert at Carisbrooke Castle in June.
Songs for a changing Island
The project, titled Our Day Will Come, builds on the success of the annual Vocal Prom at Carisbrooke Castle — an open-air celebration of youth music hosted by the Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hub and English Heritage.
With the Island’s primary schools facing consolidation in response to shifting demographics, this initiative offers a timely moment to recognise the voices of the nearly 7,000 children currently in primary education.
The Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership has joined the Music Hub in commissioning the project as both a celebration and a rallying point.
Composing from the classroom
During the spring term, selected schools will host songwriting workshops that invite pupils to compose their own verses.
These original contributions will be woven into shared songbook resources, which all participating schools will then learn during vocal workshops.
The project places creative agency in the hands of young people while also supporting teachers with tailored digital materials that link into the national curriculum, offer SEND adaptations, and include professional development opportunities.
A castle concert to mark the moment
The final performance will take place on the historic bowling green at Carisbrooke Castle on Thursday 12th June 2025, from 5.30pm to 7pm, with a reserve date set for Tuesday 17th June in case of poor weather.
The concert will feature songs written by pupils, local artists, and the Island’s own young musicians.
Friends and families are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the performance from the raised areas surrounding the green.
Performance schedule
School groups will arrive between 4pm and 4.30pm, with sound checks running until 5pm.
The concert itself begins at 5.30pm and continues until 7pm, promising a vibrant showcase of young voices singing about their lives, their schools, and their Island.
