BEACON C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL,
EXMOUTH, DEVON

Our children's many skills and talents are being used to great effect for this performance. It is a privilege to be involved with such talented individuals.
Sue Lockwood, Headteacher,
Beacon Primary School, Exmouth

BEACON C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL,
EXMOUTH, DEVON

Over the years, pupils of the Beacon School have performed several musical versions of the Christmas story. Bethlehem! however, has proved to be the most challenging so far. The twelve songs in the musical cover a range of genres and have really challenged the children and me! A challenge to which the children have risen magnificently - I am so proud of them!
Sue Lawson, Music Co-ordinator,
Beacon Primary School, Exmouth

BEACON C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL,
EXMOUTH, DEVON

A challenging and hugely enjoyable production with attractive songs and catchy melodies, expertly played live backing tracks, and humorous lyrics with a contemporary twist. A charming re-telling of the Christmas story, with plenty of scope for groups to add their own movement, costumes and tableaux, etc.
Oliver Davey, Music Development Leader,
Devon Music Service

St ANNE’S C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL BISHOP AUCKLAND, COUNTY DURHAM

It was both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to perform the Christmas musical work Bethlehem! written by yourself with lyrics by Richard Skinner.

Each year at Christmas we perform in the local church which is packed full with 120 children and their parents. Bethlehem! was wonderful for this setting as all the children were present throughout the performance as the chorus, with the narrated parts allowing for elements of dramatic representation to move the story forward. We did this with some individual narrators and with some classes speaking chorally. This seemed to work really well.

The children thoroughly enjoyed learning the songs which they picked up surprisingly quickly. I think this was partly because each song seemed to be written in a different, recognisable style and therefore offered variety, with something for everyone. There was challenge too in the opportunities for singing in harmony, in small groups and as soloists.

Following the performance, it was wonderful to hear the parents’ comments about how much they had enjoyed the children’s enthusiastic singing and how well the musical had relayed the Christmas story. The chair of governors wrote an email the following day saying how impressed she had been at such a fantastic performance.
Beth Atkinson, Headteacher