Once Upon A Christmas
Walsall Music Education Service (WMES) is pleased to announce our School Choirs’ Christmas Celebrations for 2025 – “Once Upon a Christmas”– will take place in the Walsall Arena and Arts Centre’s A3 Arena over a 3-day period: 25th - 27th November.
Each day school choirs will take part in an intensive afternoon workshop/rehearsal and evening performance. This is also a CPD opportunity for staff observing high quality choral directing. On each evening a massed choir of approximately 200 young voices will be supported by a live band.
Ula Weber returns for a fourth year directing all CPD sessions, workshops and performances. Ula is a highly experienced choral director for children’s, youth and adult choirs with an outstanding reputation of high-quality training for staff, not just in vocal delivery, but also in conducting. For more information visit Ula’s website: www.ulaweber.org.uk
In preparation for the event, WMES will provide:
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A ‘Meet the Music’ session with Ula Weber will be held for school teachers and choir leaders at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 4pm – 6pm. This will be a vital CPD session for all staff leading or accompanying children in schools.
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All the music and resources will be provided including backing tracks.
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The resources will be suitable for use in your own school’s Christmas performances.
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One workshop of up to 1 hour, will be held in school with a vocal teacher from
WMES. Times/dates to be shared/agreed at the Meet the Music session in September.
- The performances will be accompanied by a professional live band.
To take part in the performance, including the educational workshop, CPD opportunities, in-school workshop and access to the resources (which can be used in schools) you will need pay a non- refundable fee of £220. For schools with SLAs with the Music Service from September 2025, this is reduced by 10%, therefore £197.
If you would like your school choir or class to be involved in this exciting event, please complete the booking form
Payment can be made by card over the phone to our Music Administrator (details on booking form) or by invoice providing a purchase order number is submitted. We are unable to accept bookings without payment or a valid purchase order number. Full details are on our website sign up page (and below). Places are limited so early booking is recommended.
If you have any questions, please contact our Music Education Manager Steph Dufty via email on steph.dufty@walsall.gov.uk
To read this as the letter sent out to schools, please download the original letter here