The Peterborough Songbook…
“It’s fabulous and inspiring to see how different all the songs are! What an incredible opportunity to celebrate the wonderful city we live in and the children who took part!”
The Peterborough Songbook is a suite of six songs written by and for local children about aspects of local life – past, present, future – which matter to them.
Lyrics written by Key Stage 2 pupils from primary schools across the city take as their subjects day-to-day life in Peterborough, the History of Peterborough, Ferry Meadows, Peterborough Cathedral, the Posh and Edith Cavell, and have been set to music by professional composer Matthew Jones.
The songs were first performed by hundreds of local primary school children at the Cresset in March 2024 at the Peterborough Sings! school singing days as part of the Peterborough schools singing strategy, delivered in partnership with Peterborough Music Hub, who also part-funded the project. Peterborough Sings also gratefully acknowledges funding towards this project from the Marchus Trust.
The Peterborough Songbook is intended to form a lasting legacy for local children, celebrating the vibrant and diverse life of the city.
Meet our Peterborough Songbook lyricists…
-
Farah, 10, Southfields Primary School - "Peterborough"
“I’m really happy I won… it brings a smile to my face to know that other people in my school appreciate my work!”
-
Danielius, 11, St Augustine's Junior School - "The Posh"
“I feel happy that I got picked, proud because I was chosen out of a variety of people and overjoyed because I know other members of my school and other schools will be rehearsing my song.”
-
Annika, 11, Bishop Creighton Academy - "Edith Cavell"
“I’m very happy about my song being chosen, it means a lot to me. I hope that people understand the lyrics of the song and why they’re important.”
-
Imaan, 10, Orton Wistow Primary School - "Ferry Meadows"
“I feel excited and confident” she says… “I don’t mind singing my own song and lyrics. I enjoyed writing it!”
-
Lucy, 10, Orton Wistow Primary School - "Peterborough Cathedral"
“I can’t wait to hear all the brilliant songs that have been written, and standing on the stage, singing the song that I wrote the words for will be something I remember forever!
-
Year 4 pupils, Welbourne Primary Academy - "The History of Peterborough"
Walter, Evie-Rose, Courtney, Sophia. David and Nadia - all aged 8 - wrote about the history of Peterborough going right back to the days of Medehamstede…
