Running Order of the Day
09:15 – Children (please wear school uniform) arrive at Central Hall, The Dolphin Center, Darlington
09:25 – Introductions and Warm-Ups
09:30 – Rehearsals
10:45 – Break
11:00 – Rehearsals
12:30 – Lunch – All children to bring packed lunch. WE ARE A NUT-FREE ENVIRONMENT.
13:00 – Rehearsals
13:30 – Break and preparation for concert.
13:45 – Performance for Parents.
14:30 End
Ticket Information for afternoon concert: please share link with your parents.
We have 240 free tickets for parents and families to attend the event. I have set up a ticket link for parents and families to book their tickets. Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hemlingtonhallacademy/1708781
200 Children Sing…
Wind in the Willows by John Rutter
Lingfield Primary School, Heathfield, Viewley Hill, Marton Manor, Mandale Mill Primary School,Captain Cook Primary School,
Mount Pleasant Primary School, Handale Primary, Corporation Road School, Hemlington Hall Academy
It has been decided to perform John Rutter’s Wind in the Willows. It’s shorter (c.28 mins), jazzier and more accessible.
Practise Materials

Below is the full musical score for the Wind in the Willows:
Bar Numbers from the musical score will mapped up as to where our children are singing – this will be updated a.s.a.p.
Compete Lyrics of The Wind in the Willows
The highlighted words are what the children will need to learn.
I have created separate lyric documents all our parts.
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No. 1 Prologue/Introduction
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No 2. Down By The River
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No. 5 The Journey T Badger’s House – The Wild Wood
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No. 6 Badger’s House
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No. 10 Toad’s Fan Club
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: No. 12 Recapture of Toad Hall
Practise Recording from Opera Nova: Finale
Practise Resources –
Our Children’s Participation in the Opera:
- Introduction (Full Song)
- Rat and Mole meet: A life on the river (Children sing responses)
- Scene at Badger’s house (Children sing field mice)
- Toad’s car (Children do car sound effects)
- Court scene (Children respond to sentencing)
- Toad in gaol: Let me tickle your fancy
- Toad’s song: I’ve got style (Children Sing at end)
- The recapture of Toad Hall: Let’s wallop a weasel (Children sing towards end)
- The banquet at Toad Hall (Children sing responses – ‘hear hear!’)
- Finale: Home is a special kind of feeling (Full Song)
Full recording on Spotify of the performance by the The King’s Singers – an excellent performance.
To start with, children should listen to the opera in its full so that they understand what it is is about.
A performance of the King’s Singers can be found on You Tube
I have also found this recording of You Tube by The Vocal Associates. This video of the live performance has the lyrics on the screen. I have mapped out the timings of where our children are to sing.
- Introduction (Full Song) – 2mins 44secs – 4min 8secs
- Rat and Mole meet: A life on the river (Children sing responses) 5min 23 secs
- Scene at Badger’s house (Children sing field mice) 12 mins 9 secs
- Toad’s car (Children do car sound effects) 17 mins
- Court scene (Children respond to sentencing)
- Toad in gaol: Let me tickle your fancy
- Toad’s song: I’ve got style (Children Sing at end) 24mins 45 secs
- The recapture of Toad Hall: Let’s wallop a weasel (Children sing towards end)27 mins 40 secs
- The banquet at Toad Hall (Children sing responses – ‘hear hear!’) 32 mins 24 secs
- Finale: Home is a special kind of feeling (Full Song) – 34 mins 42 secs to the end.
If you need any further resources of support with resources, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Opera Nova and the performers are very excited about this musical venture and very much look forward working with us. This event is sure to be a musical treat!