Voices of Darlington: A Day of Music, Sunshine, and Community Magic

In this blog we hear from Director, Claire Willmer, of Trinity Champion Centre, Voices of Darlington. The centre used their Trinity Champion Centre funding to put on an event in the market place in Darlington, where young people performed their Trinity exam pieces to the local community. Read on for an overview of the event!

On a sun-soaked Wednesday, July 31st, Darlington Market was transformed into a buzzing hub of music, laughter and glitter as Voices of Darlington hosted an all-day free family festival. Picture this: over 100 performers, from tiny tots to grandparents, taking the stage, singing their hearts out, and filling the town with pure joy. It was a day to remember!

We wanted to show off the amazing progress of our singers and unite Darlington’s singing community in one big, harmonious celebration. And boy, was it a success! From choir groups to solo acts, our performers, aged 3 to 80, brought their A-game to the stage. The audience was treated to everything from adorable preschoolers, to our SEND group through to our more advanced singers belting out pieces, all under the glorious summer sun.

But there’s more to this story than just a day of great music. My decision to bring Trinity College London Music and Drama exams to Voices of Darlington wasn’t just about giving our students a goal to aim for—it was about providing a roadmap for their musical journey. Trinity’s Musical Theatre, Rock & Pop, and now Performance Arts grades offer a structured, yet flexible path for performers of all ages and abilities. 

One of the biggest challenges myself and my team face is helping students to focus on the entire learning journey, rather than the final marks. It’s easy to get caught up in the score, but I know that the real magic happens in the day-to-day learning. That’s where students build the skills that stick with them, long after the applause has faded. It’s about reinforcing these skills every step of the way and making sure each student feels seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are—not just for what they achieve.

I have some valuable advice for fellow teachers: don’t just teach to the test. Really tune in to where your students see themselves as performers. Help them explore their own identity and make sure your guidance aligns with their goals and dreams, not just where you think they should be heading. It’s a simple tip, but it makes a world of difference in how students connect with their learning and their own progress.

And the results speak for themselves. Beyond the certificates and grades, these students are building self-esteem and developing skills that will serve them well whether they’re chasing a career in the arts or simply enjoying their passion for personal fulfilment.

The festival itself was a perfect example of this. Among the 100+ performers, 20 brave soloists took to the stage, each performing pieces from their Trinity Rock & Pop or Musical Theatre exams. The range of performances showed just how much our students have grown. And the audience? They were loving every minute of it.

But the fun didn’t stop with the music. Thanks to the generosity of Darlington Borough Council, who let us use their stage for free (thanks, guys!), the Market Place was buzzing with activities. There was hair braiding, glitter face painting by the fabulous ‘Sparkle Scene’ and lawn games providing play areas. It was community spirit at its best.

Behind the scenes, there’s a whole team making this magic happen. Voices of Darlington has a dedicated crew of eight teachers who deliver Trinity exams to over 70 students every week. But it doesn’t stop there. Myself and my team are all about paying it forward, training up younger teachers who have succeeded in their own Trinity grades to become the next generation of educators. These young teachers are now passing on their knowledge and passion to new students and keeping the cycle of learning alive.

I am a certified Singing for Health practitioner and I am always eager to share the amazing benefits of singing for our well-being. Whether it’s lifting your mood, reducing stress, or just giving you a reason to smile. I know that singing is good for the soul—and I’ve made sure that’s a big part of what we do at Voices of Darlington.

In the end, the Voices of Darlington festival was more than just a day of performances—it was a celebration of progress, community, and the sheer joy of music. With my vision, Trinity’s structure, and a whole lot of community spirit, we’ve created something truly special. Here’s to many more days of singing, sunshine, and shared memories that bring us all a little closer together.