On Tuesday, May 19th, I was fortunate enough to be invited to The Halls in Wolverhampton to watch a performance by the staff of the Wolverhampton Music Service. The service acts as a creative hub for students who are passionate about music. These instructors visit various schools around the area to share their love for the art form, hoping to inspire the next generation of musicians. Before the performance even began, music filled the venue, and the students were already loving it, they were getting up on their feet to dance well before showtime.
Throughout the day, the audience drew from 60 regional schools, including four special educational needs schools. The show began promptly at 1:15 PM with an upbeat opener designed to get the crowd engaged. The first full song the band played was “Hall of Fame” by The Script, which immediately captured everyone’s attention. Before he began singing, frontman Paul Wilcox taught the crowd a few dance moves so they could move along with him during the performance. This interactive touch was the perfect way to keep the young audience entertained; even if they didn’t know the lyrics, they could still participate by dancing.
The setlist featured a brilliant mix of contemporary hits and 1980s classics. Incorporating older tracks is a wonderful way to keep classic eras of music alive, ensuring that children born in the last decade remain familiar with music from other generations. Overall music connects people of all ages, and it was beautiful to see the teachers singing and dancing right alongside their students. Even the Mayor of Wolverhampton was on his feet!
Shows like this naturally build confidence in young children which allows them to express themselves without fear of judgment. Being surrounded by peers helped many audience members step out of their shells and share a memorable experience. At times the noise from the excited audience made it difficult to hear some of the backing vocals, but this enthusiasm only highlighted how engaged the children were throughout the performance.
Inclusion was also a massive part of the day. Alongside the band stood a British Sign Language interpreter who taught the audience how to sign along with the songs. This not only ensured that attendees with disabilities felt included, but it also taught the children that some people navigate the world with extra assistance, normalising accessibility from a young age.
To help everyone follow along, lyrics were projected onto a large screen at the front, with the band cleverly tweaking a few lines to fit the event. Paul’s natural charisma easily made the audience laugh. He is an exceptional performer who genuinely connects with his crowd; his performance was extremely inspiring because his passion for music was so clear. The full band boasted an impressive line-up: a guitarist, a drummer, three backup singers, a keyboard player, a bassist, a string section, and a horn section featuring an oboe which is a unique sounding instrument rarely heard in modern music.
Leading them all was Paul, who simultaneously sang and played acoustic guitar. The energy in the room was completely unmatched. The afternoon was exciting, educational, and above all, incredibly fun. As soon as recognisable songs began, waves of cheering echoed around the venue, and the entire room felt electric with excitement. The crowd was extremely loud, lights were illuminating across the children’s faces and you could really see their love of music shining throughout the performance.
Performances that involve children are very important for the community and the wider music industry because they build skills, create great opportunities, strengthen communities and keep local culture alive. In Wolverhampton specifically, youth music programmes are having a visible impact. The city’s music service regularly brings together hundreds of young performers and music lovers from dozens of schools, giving the children access to orchestras, choirs, rock bands and jazz groups.
Singing at The Halls showed just how important live music and arts education still are for young people today. The afternoon was about much more than simply watching a performance, it gave children the chance to sing, dance, laugh and completely be themselves without feeling judged. Seeing so many students from different schools come together and enjoy the music created a very positive atmosphere inside the venue. Moments like this can stay with young people for years. For some children in the audience, this may have been the start of a real love for music and performing. Events like these are so important for Wolverhampton because they bring people together, encourage creativity and give young people experiences they will never forget.
I personally had a great afternoon and I would like to thank Wolverhampton music service for inviting me. I hope that I get to experience this again in the future.
Eloise Powell