Sing Up
Sing Up is a UK music-education organisation that helps schools and youth settings use singing as a core tool for learning, participation and wellbeing.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Sing Up is a music-education organisation based in Gateshead, England, focused on increasing singing and music-making among children and young people. It works primarily with primary schools, teachers, music practitioners, choir leaders and organisations that support children in mainstream and specialist education. Its service combines a large online song library, classroom and cross-curricular teaching materials, professional development, digital guidance and recognition schemes for schools that develop a strong singing culture. The organisation began in 2007 as England’s National Singing Programme, following recommendations from the government-supported Music Manifesto. The original programme was intended to put singing at the centre of primary education and broaden access to participatory music-making. The Department for Education and Skills initially committed £10 million, with the programme’s public funding later expanded to £40 million over four years. Between January 2009 and March 2011, delivery was coordinated by a consortium led by Youth Music, with Faber Music, The Sage Gateshead and other partners contributing expertise in resources, workforce development, communications and music education. Composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall served as the programme’s National Singing Ambassador during this period. Sing Up’s publicly funded phase achieved extensive reach. By 2012, the programme reported engagement with approximately 98% of primary schools in England, as well as special educational needs schools and pupil referral units. It also worked with tens of thousands of singers and thousands of music practitioners. Research cited in connection with the programme found that children participating in Sing Up activities demonstrated stronger singing competency than comparable pupils in non-participating settings, while broader research associated singing with language development, memory, motor skills and social participation. When central government funding ended in 2012, Sing Up reorganised as an independent not-for-profit organisation. It introduced membership packages for schools, individual teachers, freelance music educators and organisations, initially in the UK and later internationally. The organisation’s digital model includes paid membership as well as a free Friends account, allowing users to access different levels of resources and support. Its principal resource is the Song Bank, an online collection of more than 800 songs and vocal warm-ups arranged for children’s voices. Materials include sheet music, recordings, teaching activities, curriculum links and support for special educational needs. Sing Up also maintains a wider library of more than 2,000 teaching tools and guidance materials, including lesson plans, assembly plans, topic activities, seasonal packs, vocal-health information and a quality framework for singing leadership. Online tutorial videos, webinars, signed-song materials, Makaton and British Sign Language resources extend its accessibility work. Sing Up recognises school achievement through Silver, Gold and Platinum awards. Its Accessible Learning programme supports children in specialist, alternative and otherwise hard-to-reach settings, including children with additional needs, looked-after children, refugees and pupils educated outside mainstream schools. In 2017, Sing Up launched the Sing Up Foundation as a separate charitable initiative focused on singing, mental health and wellbeing. The organisation has also received sector recognition, including a Royal Philharmonic Society Award in 2010 and Music Teacher Awards for Excellence recognition in 2017 and 2018.
History
Sing Up emerged from the UK government’s effort to strengthen music education through the Music Manifesto. In 2007, the Department for Education and Skills announced a £10 million investment in a National Singing Programme for England. The initiative sought to make singing a routine part of primary-school life, increase children’s participation in vocal music and give teachers practical support for leading singing activities. The programme expanded financially in 2008, when public support was increased to £40 million over four years. Its national delivery model brought together organisations with complementary capabilities. Youth Music acted as lead partner; Faber Music developed and managed the national singing resource, including the Song Bank; and The Sage Gateshead led workforce development for teachers and musicians. Communications and public-relations work was also undertaken by AMV BBDO, although that agency later left the consortium in 2011 because of funding restrictions. From 2009 to 2011, composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall served as National Singing Ambassador, giving the programme a prominent public advocate. Sing Up’s work combined large-scale participation campaigns with practical resources. Schools received access to songs, lesson ideas, recordings, classroom activities and advice intended to make singing accessible to teachers with different levels of musical confidence. Training programmes helped educators and music leaders improve their vocal leadership, while the organisation’s quality principles encouraged reflection on teaching practice and the creation of inclusive singing environments. The programme reported very broad penetration in England. By 2012, it had engaged with around 98% of English primary schools and had also worked with special educational needs schools and pupil referral units. Its reported reach included more than 86,000 singers and over 8,000 music practitioners. The website grew into a substantial digital resource, with more than 2,000 items covering music teaching, curriculum integration, vocal health, seasonal activities and support for children who face barriers to mainstream participation. A large number of schools also pursued Sing Up Awards at Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Independent evaluation reinforced the programme’s educational rationale. A 2013 Institute of Education study reported that Sing Up participants were approximately 18 months to two years ahead in singing competency compared with pupils in non-Sing Up music settings. Related research linked singing with language development, memory and learning retention, motor skills and musical development. In 2010 the programme received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award, and it was later commended in the 2013 National Plan for Music Education. The end of the government-funded phase in 2012 marked a major organisational transition. Sing Up became an independent not-for-profit organisation and introduced membership packages for schools, individual music teachers and organisations. The model allowed the organisation to continue developing resources through subscriptions, training and educational partnerships rather than relying solely on public programme funding. Access subsequently expanded beyond mainland England: UK-wide and international users could purchase membership, while a free Friends account provided a lower-barrier entry point. In its independent phase, Sing Up increasingly operated as a digital education platform. The Song Bank grew into a central product, offering hundreds of songs and warm-ups with notation, audio and teaching support. The wider Teaching Tools and Advice collection included lesson plans, assembly plans, cross-curricular activities, guidance on vocal health and a quality framework. Webinars and tutorial videos provided continuing professional development, while Makaton, British Sign Language and other accessible materials supported inclusion. Sing Up also developed specialist work for children outside conventional mainstream education. Its Accessible Learning strand, previously known as Beyond the Mainstream, addresses the needs of pupils in special educational needs settings, short-stay schools and pupil referral units, as well as children who may be physically or socially excluded from ordinary school participation. The programme includes support related to autism, challenging behaviour, looked-after children, assistive technology and signed song. In 2017, the organisation launched the Sing Up Foundation, extending its mission into singing, mental health and wellbeing. Sing Up received further industry recognition when it was shortlisted for Best Digital/Technological Resource at the 2017 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence and won the Music Teacher Editors Award in 2018. Its current identity is therefore the result of a transition from a publicly funded national campaign into an independent, membership-supported provider of singing resources, training and inclusive music-education services.
- 2018
Music Teacher Editors Award
[1]Sing Up won the Music Teacher Editors Award at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.
- 2017
Sing Up Foundation established
[1]A foundation dedicated to singing, mental health and wellbeing was launched.
- 2013
Research reports stronger singing competency
[1]Institute of Education research reported substantially stronger singing competency among children participating in Sing Up settings.
- 2012
Independent not-for-profit model adopted
[1]Sing Up moved from its government-funded programme structure to an independent membership-based not-for-profit organisation.
- 2011
Additional transition funding announced
[1]The government announced a further £4 million for the following financial year to help Sing Up develop a sustainable future.
- 2010
Royal Philharmonic Society Award
[1]Sing Up received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for its contribution to music participation and education.
- 2009
National consortium delivery begins
[1]Youth Music, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead began coordinated national delivery, with Howard Goodall serving as National Singing Ambassador.
- 2008
Public funding expanded
[1]Government support was extended to £40 million over four years to expand the programme’s national reach.
- 2007
National Singing Programme announced
[1]The Department for Education and Skills committed initial public funding for a national singing programme, which became Sing Up.
Products and positioning
A specialist, participation-led music-education service that makes singing practical, inclusive and curriculum-relevant for schools and youth settings. Sing Up positions singing as both a musical discipline and a tool for confidence, communication, learning, community participation and wellbeing.
Digital song library
Song Bank
Sing Up’s Song Bank is an online library of more than 800 songs and vocal warm-ups selected and arranged for children’s voices. The collection spans choral repertoire, contemporary and popular material, seasonal songs and classroom-friendly activities. Members can use associated notation, recordings, teaching suggestions, curriculum links and special educational needs resources to support both formal lessons and wider school singing.
Teacher resource platform
Teaching Tools and Advice
This resource collection gives teachers and music practitioners practical support for planning and leading singing. It includes lesson and topic plans, assembly materials, cross-curricular activities, seasonal packs, vocal-health guidance, how-to resources and a quality framework. The material is designed to reduce barriers for non-specialist teachers while also helping experienced singing leaders develop their practice.
School recognition programme
Sing Up Awards
The Sing Up Awards recognise schools that embed singing in everyday school life. Silver, Gold and Platinum levels provide a staged framework through which schools can assess and demonstrate their singing activity, leadership, inclusion and participation. The awards are intended to support sustained development rather than one-off performances.
Inclusive music education
Accessible Learning
Accessible Learning supports children in special educational needs settings, short-stay schools, pupil referral units and other contexts where mainstream access is limited. The strand includes specialist guidance and resources for autism, challenging behaviour, looked-after children, refugee children, assistive technologies, Makaton and signed song. Its purpose is to develop inclusive approaches that can be shared with educators and music practitioners.
Training service
Professional development and webinars
Sing Up provides online webinars, tutorial videos and other training opportunities for teachers, choir leaders and music practitioners. Sessions address song teaching, vocal leadership, lesson planning, inclusion and the use of digital resources. Interactive online formats allow participants to communicate with presenters and other learners during live sessions.
Charitable wellbeing initiative · 2017
Sing Up Foundation
The Sing Up Foundation is a charitable initiative created to promote singing as a contributor to mental health and wellbeing. It extends Sing Up’s educational mission into community and wellbeing contexts, using collective singing to encourage participation, connection and emotional support.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Membership transition
United Kingdom · International markets
Following the conclusion of central government funding, Sing Up introduced a membership model for schools, individual educators and organisations.
Outcome. The organisation continued as an independent not-for-profit service and later made membership available internationally.
- 2009National singing communications campaign
England
Communications and public-relations activity highlighted the educational and social benefits of singing and encouraged schools to make singing a regular part of school life.
Outcome. The campaign supported the programme’s broad national visibility and school participation during its publicly funded phase.
- 2007National Singing Programme
England
The founding national programme promoted singing in primary schools through public investment, teaching resources, school engagement and workforce development.
Outcome. By 2012, Sing Up reported contact with approximately 98% of primary schools in England and extensive participation by pupils and music practitioners.
Brand decisions
2017
Expand into singing, mental health and wellbeingStrategyBackground
Sing Up sought to extend the benefits of participatory singing beyond classroom music education.
Action taken
The organisation launched the Sing Up Foundation as a charitable initiative focused on singing and wellbeing.
Aftermath
The foundation established a distinct charitable strand alongside Sing Up’s education resources and professional development services.
2012
Move from public programme to membership-supported organisationStrategyBackground
The original national programme depended heavily on government funding, which ended after the funded phase.
Action taken
Sing Up reorganised as an independent not-for-profit organisation and developed paid membership packages for schools, teachers and organisations, alongside a free Friends account.
Aftermath
The new model enabled Sing Up to continue offering digital resources, training and support in the UK and internationally.
Recent events
- 2018
Sing Up receives Music Teacher Editors Award[1]
Other
Sing Up received the Music Teacher Editors Award at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.
- 2017
Sing Up Foundation launched[1]
Product launch
The Sing Up Foundation was created as a charitable initiative promoting singing as a means of supporting mental health and wellbeing.
- 2012
Sing Up transitions to independent not-for-profit operation[1]
Other
After the end of central government funding, Sing Up adopted a membership and partnership model for schools, teachers and organisations.
- 2009
Sing Up consortium begins national delivery[1]
Other
Youth Music, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead formed the principal delivery consortium, covering programme management, resources and workforce development.
- 2007
National Singing Programme launched in England[1]
Product launch
Sing Up was established as part of a government-backed national programme intended to make singing a central feature of primary education.
Sources2 sources
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