Since 1990, Ex Cathedra has developed a range of ground-breaking and innovative education activities based on the premise that singing is for all. Ex Cathedra Education seeks to inspire a love of singing in people of all ages and backgrounds through a programme of exciting, innovative and inclusive education projects in schools and the wider community, and to provide opportunities for talented young singers to realise their full potential.

Projects are developed from and led by Ex Cathedra’s concert programme; the key to their success is the commitment to the core activity and area of expertise – vocal skills.

Current education projects include:

• Singing Playgrounds, a unique initiative that has attracted attention both regionally and nationally due to its innovative approach to engaging children in singing as a natural part of their “everyday” life, and which was the subject of the Teachers TV programme ‘Inspirations’.
• Singing Medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a national finalist in the NHS Health and Social Care Awards (2005).
  
• Ring of Sound, the intergenerational choir for the Perry Common Regeneration Project.

Ex Cathedra is part of Birmingham City Council’s Arts Champions and Creative Futures schemes.

Ex Cathedra complements these projects by running its own choirs for talented young singers. Children who discover a love and aptitude for singing, often via our schools and community projects, have the opportunity to develop their skills further by joining one of our training choirs: the Academy of Vocal Music, for male and female singers aged 16 upwards; or the Junior Academy, for boys and girls aged 7 to 16 years.

A team of Vocal Tutors work alongside Jeffrey Skidmore and Rebecca Ledgard (Education Coordinator) to deliver these strands - comprising qualified teachers, professional singers and players, and experienced workshop leaders - and all are members of Ex Cathedra. Our Vocal Tutors are experienced in working in a range of settings and with people of all abilities, capabilities and ages.

For more information on any aspect of Ex Cathedra Education email education@ex-cathedra.org or call 0121 2 129 129.

Ex Cathedra Education is indebted to the long-term support of our principle Education sponsor, Sandvik Limited.