The National Singing Programme Sing Up was officially launched in November 2007 and a team from the Institute of Education, University of London were appointed early that academic term to undertake a research evaluation of key elements of the Programme. One key component of the UK Government's National Singing Programme Sing Up (produced by Youth Music in partnership with Abbot Mead Vickers, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead) is to ensure that children's singing development is fostered by adults who have appropriate musical knowledge, skills and understanding. Its stated role is to: 'deliver inclusive, learner-centred training for leaders singing with primary-age children in 60 target areas across England from September 2007 to March 2011, and each project runs for two years.' The workforce development - embracing 'Vocal Force' - draws on principles developed through 'Vocal Union', part of the Sage Gateshead's 'Access to Excellence Music Manifesto Pathfinder Programme'. Vocal Force is working in collaboration with existing schemes, projects, organisations and individuals across England as part of Sing Up. The Institute of Education, University of London agreed to undertake an external evaluation of a significant number of workforce development participants that was complimentary to, but separate from, the Sage Gateshead's own internal evaluation processes.

The National Singing Programme Sing Up was officially launched in November 2007 and a team from the Institute of Education, University of London were appointed early that academic term to undertake a research evaluation of key elements of the Programme. Across the first three years of the research-based Sing Up impact evaluation, data have been collected from 9,979 children, involving 11,388 individual singing assessments and the completion of 10,245 singing and self focused attitudinal questionnaires. Analyses of the data provide evidence that those children who have participated in the Sing Up programme are approximately two years in advance developmentally in their singing compared to their peers of the same age outside the programme. In addition, Sing Up experienced children have more positive attitudes to singing in school and appear to have a more positive self-image as a result of these experiences.