Over 1,000 NSSP students performed recently at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral for ‘Good Shepherd Mass’, a service in aid of Nugent Care’s annual Good Shepherd Appeal.
This year’s Good Shepherd Mass saw children from 34 schools come together from all across the Archdiocese of Liverpool to form a choir made up of young people aged 6 to 18. In the build-up to the event, the Archdiocese’s Choral Directors had visited all the schools participating in the Mass, helping them to prepare for the landmark performance. Sung in three languages, the Mass and hymns were led by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, attracting an audience of over 1,800 people.
Halle, aged 9, who participated in the service said “I loved seeing the Cathedral full of so many people from so many different schools singing!”
Thomas, aged 11, who also sang “It was amazing, and so was the atmosphere!”
Mr David Stokes, Head of Music at St Francis Xavier’s College, said “'The Good Shepherd Mass' is a fantastic celebration, gathering schools across the Archdiocese through music and worship. The whole experience is expertly organised and led. It is certainly an annual event that we look forward to being a part of. Thank you to all involved, especially Mr Townley and Mr Watson!”
The Headteacher of St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Mr Liam Anderson, said “Our children had a wonderful experience at the Good Shepherd Mass. Having the opportunity to share this with others was truly amazing and something that the children will remember for years to come. Our children were able to put their hard work from school into practice – thanks to our Choral Director.”
The Archdiocese of Liverpool Schools Singing Programme has been running since February 2022. 15 schools have now signed up to the programme running out of the Archdiocese and 2,000 children are now engaged in singing sessions each week.
Founded in 2021, the NSSP is an ambitious music education initiative, which aims to give as many children as possible, regardless of their background, access to the personal, social and educational benefits of deep and continuous engagement with music. The NSSP now engages over 20,000 children in more than 200 state schools across the UK. The programme is supported by a pledge of £4.135million from Hamish Ogston, which recently enabled it to expand to 6 Anglican Cathedrals across the UK.
To learn more about Hamish Ogston’s music initiatives, please visit: Music