A Song to Change the World – Schools Resource Pack
Published Wednesday 21 January 2026
These resources have been created to accompany our Schools Project 2026 – A Song to Change the World
Inspired by British composer and suffragette, Dame Ethel Smyth, and her opera ’The Wreckers’.
A Song to Change the World is a tale about courage, conscience, and the music inside us all. When Ethel is imprisoned and can no longer hear her music, she remembers a story from long ago about two children, a stormy sea, and a lighthouse that saved lives. Through singing together and fighting for our beliefs, we learn that no one is too small to make a big difference.
To register your interest in attending any of these free performances, please complete this form.
Resource Pack:
- Two short songs for you to learn before the show. We will sing these all together during the performance so please ensure you know these in advance. (We have included word sheets, sheet music, and links to sing-a-long videos in this pack)
- An overview of other music used in the show along with listening guides
- What to expect when attending the performance (this may be useful to talk through with learners who haven’t attended a theatre show before)
- A snapshot of Dame Ethel Smyth
- An introduction to the musicians and instruments you will meet in the show
- Three additional class activities to enhance your understanding of the story and the themes used
A Song to Change the World – Resource pack for schools
Audience Participation Songs
These songs will feature in the performance and the musicians and storyteller will encourage the audience to sing along. Please learn these in advance. The Resource Pack includes activities to help engage with these songs further.
- Songs to learn before the show
- Ar Lan y Môr – sing-along video (turn on subtitles for lyrics on screen)
- March of the Women – sing-along video (turn on subtitles for lyrics on screen)
Story
Feel free to read through the story with your class, it will introduce the characters and the themes we will meet. This version of the story does not include the ending so that it will be a surprise!
ACW Go and See Fund
The Go and See Fund offers grants up to £1,000 to enable teachers in state-maintained schools in Wales to take their learners to see high-quality art in venues across Wales. Applications for funding must be submitted 5 weeks in advance of the performance. Whilst the below documents can be used to support in writing your application, please take the time to consider how it will specifically benefit your learners. If you require more information or support, please get in touch with becky@sinfonia.cymru.