The rains fell on Anstey Park as five East Hampshire schools came together for a musical masterclass in Alton.

The sound of Africa reverberated around the town and Holybourne as Eggars School welcomed pupils from Andrews Endowed, Bentley, The Buttts, Four Marks and Selborne primary schools for its Big Sing on Thursday (November 7).

More than 150 pupils took part with each school singing a song of their own choice to a proud audience of parents.

The finale was a joint effort with the pupils being backed by an Eggars orchestra for a glorious massed rendition of Toto’s classic top ten 80s hit.

The Big Sing has become an annual event at the secondary school since the first was held in 2012 and routinely involves 180 to 200 pupils from local ‘feeder’ schools.

It’s all about “community engagement” with pupils getting the chance to “immerse themselves in the joy of music” by singing alongside a live group.

“We often get asked why we do this, and there’s a simple answer to that,” said Eggars head of music, Matt Farris.

“We believe in music, we’re passionate about music and we want students performing – it’s as simple as that.

“One teacher said today how lovely it is to come here today and perform to a live band because it doesn’t happen that often. This might also be one of the few times children perform with this many people.”

The pupils set the tone before the big finish with Andrews Endowed revelling in their version of Ed Sheeran’s Celestial and The Butts belting out Meghan Trainor’s Better When I’m Dancing.

Bentley told the audience You’ve Got a Friend, the visiting Four Marks pupils bolstered their take on Sing with rounds and tambourines, and Selborne’s version of He Lives in You included dialogue from the movie.