Young voices in tune with the festive season for the Great Big Christmas Sing

Thousands of talented young musicians from across East Sussex will be helping the county get into the festive spirit with a series of Christmas concerts for this year's Great Big Christmas Sing.

More than 3,000 primary school children will be taking part in 12 concerts over six days at various venues.

The annual event is organised by the East Sussex Music Service, a County Council service, and will feature a dozen Christmas songs and music from the Music Service's flagship Youth Ensembles at each of the hour-long concerts.

This year will also see the performance of a new piece written by the Music Service's Director, Dr Tony Biggin – “Christmas Shopping (introducing Dinkey, the teenage donkey)”

This sung story is set on Christmas Eve and Joseph has forgotten to buy a Christmas present for Mary. It's half past nine in the evening and Joseph is astonished and bewildered to find that all the shops seem to be closed! The audience is invited to join Mary, Joseph and Dinkey, their amusing teenage donkey, in this unusual telling of the Christmas story.

Cllr John Barnes, Chair of the East Sussex Music Management Committee, said: “These concerts are always a real treat, like other Music Service events they showcase the wonderful talent of our young people. They guarantee great entertainment for all the family and are a brilliant opportunity for the county's school children to get into the Christmas spirit.”

Below is a list of the concert dates and venues. Tickets can be obtained from the venues, and are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

Friday 30 November, 4.30pm and 7pm – White Rock Theatre, Hastings
The Great Big Christmas Sing with Hastings & Rother Area Music Centre
Wednesday 5 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm – Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
The Great Big Christmas Sing with Crowborough String Orchestra
Monday 10 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm – De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea
The Great Big Christmas Sing with Hastings Area Youth Jazz & Blues Band
Tuesday 11 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
The Great Big Christmas Sing with East Sussex Brass Band
Wednesday 12 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
The Great Big Christmas Sing with Lewes Area Music Centre Jazz
Thursday 13 December, 5.30pm and 7.30pm – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
The Great Big Christmas Sing with Eastbourne Youth Concert Band
For further information about the Big Sing Concerts or the East Sussex Music Service, please contact the Music Service – phone: 01273 336770 or email: music.service@eastsussex.gov.uk