The Years 3-6 students from eight schools in the area will perform 11 songs, including musical numbers, pop tunes, and choral works written for children.

Conductor Natalie Brown said she thought it would be “a very uplifting night”.

“It can be emotional hearing children singing together; it’s something really special,” Mrs Brown said.

“Music is something that tugs at your heart like other things can’t do; it’s affecting.”

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The event was being held to celebrate public education and filled a gap in arts festivals for the students, the organiser, Nemingha Public School principal Chris Jackson, said.

“Years and years ago, they used to have primary choral festivals; probably 10 years ago,” he said.

“[Mrs Brown] and I got to talking and we were saying … we have the dance festival, we have CAPERS – it’s a shame we don’t have a choir. 

“So we thought we’d do it in the off-years of CAPERS.”

Mrs Brown is the music specialist at Tamworth South Public School, whose students have performed at Sydney’s Festival of Choral Music; she’s also co-conducted at Schools Spectacular.

She said there was “a lot of value in children singing together”.

“Music promotes higher-order thinking, is a way to imagine and create, enriches our lives, uses both sides of our brain, lifts our spirits, fosters commitment and discipline, and could be a major source of joy and achievement,” she said.

Mr Jackson said that, while they’d been practising at their respective schools, the students would have rehearsed all together only twice before the show.

“I’m amazed at Natalie’s expertise in getting the kids to sing together; some of the two-part harmonies are incredible,” he said.

“There are a lot of boys involved – it’s really good to see boys getting up and singing, and being confident singing.”