
Mark De-Lisser celebrates how hymns sung in childhood can inspire us throughout our lives, and he launches a very special vote to find the nation’s favourite school assembly song. \n\nIn this special celebration of the power of music in childhood, Mark meets music teacher James B Partridge, who has been catapulted to unlikely fame by playing school assembly hymns. Mark hears James’s remarkable story, from going viral on social media to taking his School Assembly Bangers show on tour and even to Glastonbury Festival. James explains how the joy of singing when we’re young can shape us in later life. \n\nMark then introduces the Rev Kate Bottley to launch a new and exciting Songs of Praise event... the Big School Assembly Singalong, which begins with a nationwide online vote to find the ultimate school assembly hymn. \n\nThe vote opens on Sunday 31 August and closes at 6pm on Saturday 20 September. Visit bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise to find all the terms, privacy notice and the all-important list of 50 school day favourites from which to choose. \n\nAlso in the programme, celebrated composer Adrian Snell shares how he gave up a life touring the world to become a music therapist. For Adrian, music can help students create, communicate and connect with others, and he tells us how it has had a profoundly positive impact on his own life. \n\nMark then meets gospel singer Seth Pinnock, founder of Symphony Co - a faith-based social impact charity empowering young people through music. Seth describes how sacred music has shaped his faith and life, and how he now uses it to inspire the next generation. Drawing on the melody, structure and chords of the beloved hymn Be Thou My Vision, Seth leads a songwriting workshop. \n\nThe programme is filled with music that captures the joy of singing together. \n\n1. God Is Love, His the Care – The Albert Hall, Nottingham \n2. Every time I Feel the Spirit – Perfect Pitch \n3. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind – Hereford Cathedral \n4. Blessed Assurance – Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh \n5. Total Praise – The Kingdom Choir \n6. How Shall I Sing That Majesty? – St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
Source: BBC 1
The Parables Of Jesus: The Good Samaritan
In the first of two programmes on the parables of Jesus, Sean Fletcher meets Christians inspired by one of the most famous of Jesus’ stories – the Good Samaritan. \n ...
25-01-2026
BBC 1
Faith In The Workplace
Laura Wright is in Cambridge to explore faith outside the pulpit and the pew and meets Christians living out their faith in offices, laboratories and police stations. \n\nAs she ...
18-01-2026
BBC 1
Union Chapel
Claire McCollum is in north London visiting Union Chapel, both a world-renowned music venue and a diverse worshipping community putting faith into action. \n\nClaire meets minis ...
11-01-2026
BBC 1
My Bible
Sean Fletcher welcomes in the new year, meeting people in Glasgow for whom a particular copy of the Bible has been life-changing. \n\nSean meets Margaret Borland, who relays the ...
04-01-2026
BBC 1
Carols For Christmastide
In a programme packed with music, Pam Rhodes visits Launde Abbey in Leicestershire to mark the fourth day of Christmas. She shares joyful hymns and carols reflecting on the birt ...
28-12-2025
BBC 1
A Christmas Celebration From The Victoria Hall, Bolton
Aled Jones is joined by special guests and a congregation of 800 voices at the Victoria Hall, Bolton, for a spectacular musical celebration of traditional carols and festive fav ...
21-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Joy
In this third episode marking the traditional themes of Advent, Laura Wright visits Bedford to celebrate joy. She asks what it means to Christians and finds out how we can all s ...
14-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Peace
On the second Sunday of Advent, Claire McCollom continues a series unpacking the themes of the season. On a visit to Coventry Cathedral, she explores peace – from its rich ...
07-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Hope
On Advent Sunday, Sean Fletcher begins a series of programmes exploring some of the themes of the Advent season, beginning with stories and hymns celebrating hope. \n\nSean mee ...
30-11-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
My Bible
Sean Fletcher welcomes in the new year, meeting people in Glasgow for whom a particular copy of the Bible has been life-changing. \n\nSean meets Margaret Borland, who relays the ...
04-01-2026
BBC 1
Celebrating 60 Years
Marking the year Songs of Praise turns 60, Aled Jones celebrates at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with Christian stories that exemplify the spirit of the series. Aled and ...
24-01-2021
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Final
Aled Jones and the Rev Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Three junior choristers aged 11 to 13 and ...
12-10-2025
BBC 1
Big Sing: The Uk's Top Ten Hymns
The results of a nationwide vote are sung by five thousand people in the Royal Albert Hall in this Big Sing special, with guests including Russell Watson.
06-07-2014
BBC 1
St George’s Day
To celebrate St George's Day, Laura Wright heads to the capital to join families uncovering the legendary story of England's patron saint on a dragon-finding walking tour.\n\nLa ...
23-04-2023
BBC 1
Celebrating Gospel Music Today
Renowned choir director Mark De-Lisser celebrates gospel, his favourite genre of music, by meeting Christians at the heart of the gospel community and exploring the message behi ...
13-10-2024
BBC 1
Carols For Christmastide
In a programme packed with music, Pam Rhodes visits Launde Abbey in Leicestershire to mark the fourth day of Christmas. She shares joyful hymns and carols reflecting on the birt ...
28-12-2025
BBC 1
Gospel Choir Of The Year Part 1
David Grant hosts the competition to find the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year 2017. Five leading amateur choirs take to the stage of Central Hall Westminster in London ...
26-11-2017
BBC 1
Faith In The Workplace
Laura Wright is in Cambridge to explore faith outside the pulpit and the pew and meets Christians living out their faith in offices, laboratories and police stations. \n\nAs she ...
18-01-2026
BBC 1