Sing & Sign at Christmas

My favourite part of the week is a Tuesday afternoon, where I run a British Sign Language (BSL) Sing and Sign club for children at a local primary school on a voluntary basis. This special after-school activity is a place where we not only explore music but also learn BSL, creating a truly inclusive environment that celebrates communication in all its forms. access: technology provides the materials (including biscuits!) and t-shirts for the children to wear, helping to create a sense of belonging and pride in their participation.

Last half term, Topcliffe’s Sing and Sign club was brimming with energy and excitement as we welcomed many new enthusiastic members. As the festive season approached, our club embarked on an ambitious project: preparing for the school carol concert in the village church by learning the signs and rehearsing a heartfelt performance of the Glee cast version of Do You Hear What I Hear. It was a joy to see the children’s dedication as they practiced signing in unison, perfecting every gesture and expression.

Some of the children who have been part of the club for over a year took their involvement to the next level by auditioning to sign and translate an introduction to the performance. Their poise and confidence in delivering this meaningful introduction set the tone for a memorable event.

A particularly magical moment in the performance occurred during the verse—Do you hear what I hear—where we incorporated a brief section of complete silence. The children’s timing was impeccable as they signed with confidence, using expressive facial movements to convey the emotion and meaning of the lyrics. Despite watching the children perform this many times during rehearsals, it still gave me goosebumps!

Before the performance, we approached the headteacher to make a special request: to explain to the congregation the importance of showing appreciation in a way that aligns with Deaf culture. Instead of clapping hands together, we encouraged everyone to wiggle their fingers in the air, much like jazz hands. The response was overwhelming. The entire church, embraced this gesture of inclusivity. As the performance concluded, the silent applause filled the room with a palpable sense of connection and respect. There were lots of grownups dabbing their eyes with tissues, and the children who performed looked so proud they might burst.

The Sing and Sign club’s festive performance was not just a celebration of the season but a powerful demonstration of how music and sign language can bring people together. It was definitely my best bit of Christmas. We are incredibly proud of the children for their hard work, creativity, and ability to inspire such a deeply emotional response from the audience.

As we look forward to the new term, I am excited to continue working with the children to learn some new vocabulary and planning our performance for the school talent show!