Music That Mattered

Music has always been at the heart of what we do, and this year’s performances reminded us why.

The MCA Children’s Choir, now over 50 members strong, sang three powerful solo pieces with confidence and heart, followed by two collaborative numbers performed alongside North Prospect Community Choir (NPCC), Blokes Who Sing, and City of Sons. The sound of multiple generations singing together was unforgettable — a true celebration of shared experience.

Our MCA EarlyBirds, melted hearts with beautiful renditions of “I Won’t Give Up” and “Somewhere Only We Know”, showing remarkable focus and emotion for such a young group.

We were also treated to two outstanding solo moments. Margaret, our school’s much-loved PA to the leadership team and admin lead, sang a deeply moving version of “Wild Mountain Thyme”, and Amber, one of our year 4 singers, performing solo for the very first time, delivered a showstopping rendition of “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele. Both performances were received with huge support from the audience and reminded us of the talent within our own school community.

The music throughout the day showcased not only skill, but collaboration, trust and joy - with each group playing their part in a wider community celebration.

 

Art That Inspired

Right at the centre of the festival was a space dedicated to art and making, led by the talented team of Rachele, Michele and Danielle. Their artwork, creative workshops and collaborative community art piece drew in people of all ages. Children proudly shared their creations, families joined in together, and the area became a calm and colourful hub of creativity.

Their work with Art Club throughout the year has had a huge impact, and their presence at the heart of the festival reflected just how deeply embedded their work is in the life of the school and wider community.

 

Active Spaces for Young People

A new addition this year was the brilliant activity area run by Barry and the ProActive CiC team, who created a safe and engaging space for children to get active while the music and art carried on nearby. It was a huge success.

Their work gave younger attendees a place to play, stay energised, and have fun - helping the entire day run smoothly while giving parents the chance to enjoy other parts of the festival. The impact was felt across the event and added an important layer of inclusivity, joy and calm to the atmosphere.

 

Wider-Community Voices on Stage

The festival was supported by choirs and groups from across the city, each bringing something unique:

Ford Children’s Choir opened the festival with a burst of energy, positivity and pride - complete with handmade banners and lots of smiles. Their performance set the tone for the day beautifully.

North Prospect Community Choir filled the room with warmth, soul and joy - both on stage and behind the scenes supporting refreshments and raffles.

Blokes Who Sing brought energy and character in abundance, adding their trademark joy and camaraderie to every moment.

City of Sons gave a confident and dynamic performance that reflected just how far they’ve come. Thanks to a community grant from Tudor Evans, the boys will soon have new folders and merchandise to support their next steps.

This wasn’t just a series of performances. It was a day where voices came together across generations, backgrounds and experiences - united by music and mutual respect.

 

Food, Bees and Local Magic

A huge part of what made the festival so special was the presence of local businesses and families sharing their passions.

Yvonne and her Jamaican Kitchen team delivered not only delicious food, but an atmosphere of warmth and welcome. The meals were incredible (thank you for the takeaway box!) and the love poured into every plate was felt by all.

Mick, Gemma and the Six Bees team brought learning and energy to their buzzing stand (pun absolutely intended). Their family-led setup was one of the busiest of the day, with children and adults alike eager to learn about bees, sustainability and the brilliant community work they do. Their ongoing support of our music groups and school, is a shining example of how local families support and uplift others.

 

Behind the Scenes

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to:

Alex, for giving up his Saturday evening to capture the spirit of the festival through photography. We can’t wait to share the images on our socials and website - your work is incredible.

Vicky, who quietly and calmly kept everyone safe as our first aid lead - giving families confidence and helping ensure everything ran smoothly.

Every parent, carer, staff member and volunteer who helped set up, take down, serve refreshments, sell raffle tickets, carry gear or simply offered a kind word. You are what makes events like this not only possible, but meaningful.

 

What’s Next?

We’ll be sharing more photos and highlights throughout the week, so keep an eye on our socials to relive some of the day’s best moments.

Planning for MCA Summer Festival 2026 will begin after Christmas, and we’re already excited to build on this year’s success. If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Until then, thank you - truly - for helping us create a day that was joyful, inclusive and full of pride.

We came together to celebrate music, art and community - and it was everything we hoped it would be.

 

The MCA Festival Team