Young Voices

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Each year, our students have the exciting opportunity to travel to London to take part in the Young Voices Choir, making us the only international school from Switzerland to participate in this inspiring event. This annual tradition has become a highlight of our school calendar and a powerful learning experience for our primary school students. Taking part in Young Voices gives our primary students an opportunity to experience music on a scale that is very different from a classroom rehearsal. Preparing for a shared performance requires concentration, commitment and a willingness to listen to others. It also gives children something meaningful to work towards together, creating a sense of anticipation and shared purpose in the weeks leading up to the event. For some students, singing in front of a large audience may be an exciting prospect; for others, it may feel unfamiliar at first. Both experiences have value. Learning to manage nerves, remember musical material and contribute to a group performance can help children discover new confidence in their abilities. At La Garenne, we want every child to feel that there is room for their own voice within a wider community.

The Young Voices Experience

Young Voices brings together thousands of children to perform as one choir in world-class venues, creating an atmosphere of energy, unity, and celebration. For our students, performing in such a large-scale international setting builds confidence, musical discipline, and a strong sense of achievement. 

One of the special qualities of a choir is that no single singer carries the performance alone. Children learn to follow a conductor, respond to musical cues and adjust their voices to the people around them. These habits require attention and cooperation, and they demonstrate how individual effort contributes to a collective achievement. The result is not only a memorable concert but also a practical lesson in listening and mutual respect. Travelling to London adds another dimension to the experience. Being away from familiar routines can encourage students to become more independent, adaptable and aware of the people around them. Sharing this journey with classmates and teachers also creates opportunities for friendships to grow. The memories made during rehearsals, travel and performance can become an important part of a child’s school experience.

Singing alongside peers from different backgrounds also fosters teamwork, cultural awareness, and global citizenship.

Young Voices brings together children from many different schools, offering a vivid reminder that music can connect people across languages and cultures. Singing the same repertoire requires students to work towards a common goal, even when they have never met before. For children growing up in an international school community, this can reinforce the value of openness, curiosity and cooperation.

As part of the event, the Young Voices organisers interviewed students, music teachers, and schools from around the world, including members of our own school community. These interviews capture the excitement, learning, and inspiration felt by everyone involved.

The interviews offer families another way to understand what students take away from the event. Hearing children describe their experiences in their own words can reveal the excitement, pride and personal discoveries that are not always visible in a performance photograph. Giving young people opportunities to reflect on their achievements also helps them recognise how much they have learned along the way.

Here is the link to watch the interview and hear directly from our students and teachers about their Young Voices experience. (YV TV)

Instrumental Music at La Garenne

At our school, we believe that music is an essential part of a child’s education. From Year 2 onwards, every primary student has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument as part of the curriculum. This inclusive approach ensures that all children can explore the joy of music, develop essential skills, and discover their unique musical voice.

At La Garenne, we believe that discovering a personal interest can be the beginning of a much longer learning journey. Music offers children a way to explore creativity while developing concentration, coordination and patience. Because students arrive with different abilities and interests, the opportunity to try an instrument during the primary years can help them discover what they enjoy before deciding how far they would like to pursue it. Learning an instrument is rarely a straight line. A new technique or piece of music may feel difficult at first, and progress often comes through repeated practice and small adjustments. With encouragement and clear goals, children can begin to see that improvement is possible even when a task initially seems challenging. This experience can build confidence that carries into other subjects and activities.

Individual musical development and shared performance complement one another. A child may enjoy the focused attention required to learn an instrument and also discover the excitement of making music with others. These experiences teach different but connected skills: independent preparation, careful listening, flexibility and the ability to contribute to a common result.

To provide a structured pathway for musical growth, students participate in ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) performing grades exams. ABRSM exams are widely recognized internationally and offer numerous benefits:

• Structured Progression: ABRSM provides a clear framework from beginner to advanced levels, helping students set goals and track their improvement.
  
• Performance Confidence: Preparing for and performing in graded exams nurtures self-assurance, stage presence, and public performance skills.
  
• Technical and Musical Development: The exams assess not only technical proficiency but also musicality, interpretation, and expressive playing.
  
• Recognition and Motivation: Achieving ABRSM grades is an internationally respected accomplishment that motivates students and validates their hard work.
  
• Preparation for Future Opportunities: ABRSM qualifications can support further musical studies, participation in ensembles, and scholarship opportunities.

The ABRSM pathway provides one way for students who wish to pursue a more structured musical goal to recognise their progress. However, the value of music education is not limited to examinations. Playing a first tune, mastering a challenging passage or finding the courage to perform for classmates can all represent meaningful achievements. Recognising these different milestones helps children appreciate their own progress rather than comparing themselves with others.

At the same time, preparing for an assessment can teach students how to set realistic targets and reflect on the steps needed to reach them. They learn that a strong performance is built over time, through attention to detail and a willingness to respond to feedback. These habits support the wider La Garenne philosophy of encouraging each child to develop their individual potential. Music can also strengthen the relationships that make school feel like a community. Whether students are rehearsing together, supporting a friend’s performance or celebrating a shared success, they learn to appreciate the contributions of others. In a close-knit international environment, such experiences can help children feel recognised, included and connected.

Through music, our students discover creativity, achieve goals, and carry the joy of learning with them wherever they go.

The Young Voices experience and instrumental learning at La Garenne show two sides of the same educational commitment: giving students opportunities to discover their own strengths while learning how to work with others. We hope that the confidence, friendships and enjoyment developed through music will remain with them long after the final note has been sung.