Singing Picnics

Surrey Arts are delighted to announce that we are now accepting application for the 2023 Singing Picnics.

Singing Picnics give primary school children in Surrey an opportunity to perform songs to each other, play singing games and enjoy a picnic lunch at parks and inspirational spaces across the county.

With an emphasis on enjoyment, Singing Picnics are a great way for schools to participate in music-making in outdoor settings such as Kempton Park, Runnymede Pleasure Grounds, Woking Park or Watts Gallery.

What happens at a Singing Picnic?

Schools bring around 30 children each, often one year group at KS2 level. Teachers prepare a simple song to share at the Picnic that can easily be sung unaccompanied or with guitar.

On arrival, each school is allocated a picnic spot within the grounds and is visited by a professional vocal tutor who leads the children in singing games until all schools have arrived and settled.

All schools are then gathered into a big circle on the grass. Each school sings their prepared song for the others, after which the professional tutors lead the entire group in a call-and-response song with the assistance of the young singing leaders. The schools’ children then have their picnic lunches and play more singing games.

Children and teachers who have enjoyed taking part are likely to be involved in further music-making activities, and this project is designed to reach out to schools which are hesitant to take part in music-making due to lack of experience and teacher time.

Singing Picnics planned for summer 2023 are:

  • Wednesday 28 June Runnymede/Spelthorne – EVENT FULL
  • Thursday 29 June Mole Valley – EVENT FULL
  • Tuesday 4 July Woking- EVENT FULL
  • Thursday 6 July Redhill/Reigate – EVENT FULL
  • Tuesday 11 July Lingfield – EVENT FULL

How to get involved

Places go quickly and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For an application form, please email surreyarts@surreycc.gov.uk specifying the date you are interested in attending. 

The price for bringing a group of up to 35 children is £50.