West norfolk's young musicians take to the stage

Talented young musicians from across West Norfolk had the chance to display their skills to a live audience, when Springwood High School hosted the first West Norfolk Academies Trust community music week.

A variety of themed evenings of entertainment took place on a professional standard stage set up in the field behind the school’s gym, showcasing a wide range of musical offerings to suit all tastes.

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Although the event was staged by the West Norfolk Academies Trust, which runs 11 schools in the borough including Springwood, the musicians and groups taking part were not confined to Trust schools. 

Other community groups performing included the Centre Stage Swing Band and West Norfolk Music Centre.

Monday (July 4)  was jazz night, featuring a variety of groups including the Springwood High Big Band, and the East Angles brass band. 

On Tuesday it was time for rock and pop, with performances from a selection of bands from Trust schools, as well as the College of West Anglia.  

Wednesday was billed as a vocal celebration by West Norfolk Academy Trust schools, both primary and secondary, and featured a range of groups performing a variety of pieces written across the Queen’s 70-year reign, to mark her platinum jubilee, culminating in a performance by a 200-strong choir. 

Springwood’s Director of Music, Robin Norman, considered it the highlight of the event, and said: “Every WNAT school was involved, and the evening concluded with over 200 students from our primaries and secondaries combining together in one song. That evening also attracted the largest audience, all of which thoroughly enjoyed the range of music on offer.”

The week’s entertainment drew to a close on Thursday (July 8), with band and orchestra night, where performers included the Springwood concert band, brass group and West Norfolk Winds.  

Some 700 people attended across the four nights, and the event was so successful that there are already plans to repeat it next year.

“The Community Music Week was a tremendous experience for both students and audiences alike,” continued Mr Norman. 

“From the point of view of the students, they not only had the chance to perform on a professional level stage, but they also had the opportunity to listen to other groups of all levels, from other schools to amateur music groups, and all the way to professional bands. It was also brilliant to see the camaraderie that built between students from other schools, showing a mutual support all in the name of music.”

Andrew Johnson, headteacher at Springwood and executive headteacher of the West Norfolk Academies Trust added: “The week has been a resounding success, and the students and the audiences absolutely loved it. All the events were well attended, and everyone had a great time. We’ll definitely be doing it again next year, and are keen to get more community music groups involved, so we can come back bigger and better!”