Joanna Forbes L’Estrange on why singing in schools is ‘absolutely vital’

On the podcast this week, the singer, composer, and conductor Joanna Forbes L’Estrange is interviewed by Madeleine Davies. Joanna Forbes L’Estrange talks about how she developed a love of singing as a child, and why she believes that singing in primary schools is “absolutely vital”. This is especially needed in state schools, she says, where there is often less of a culture of singing than in independent schools. “There have been lots of musicians over the decades who have recognised this need, but still somehow there needs to be a seismic culture shift,” she says. “It’s somehow convincing the people who make the big decisions that singing provision in schools is absolutely vital.” She delivered a keynote speech this month at the annual conference of the Choir Schools’ Association. Read more in Madeleine’s report in the Church Times this week. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/15-may/news/uk/state-schools-need-support-to-improve-music-provision-choir-schools-association-hears https://www.joannaforbeslestrange.com/ Tickets are on sale for the Church Times Festival of Faith and Music, on 10 October at Southwark Cathedral: https://faithandmusic.hymnsam.co.uk/buy-tickets/ Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader