RAF members jazz up visit to Lynn school

The Royal Air Force inspired Lynn students with a careers day that featured a musical twist. 

​The visitors to Springwood High School were members of a Jazz Ensemble from the RAF College in Cranwell in Lincolnshire, and gave two performances, as well as leading a workshop with musicians at the school, which culminated in a free evening concert.

The event was taking place for the first time, at the suggestion of a former student who is now in the RAF.

“Thomas Maddison, an ex-Springwood student, is a member of the RAF Jazz Ensemble and made contact to see if we would like them to come to school and do some demonstrations, along with a careers talk,” explained Robin Norman, Director of Music at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. 

“This we were pleased to accept, and it was then expanded to include work with our own Big Band and an informal performance afterwards.”

Ten RAF musicians, including Mr Maddison on bass, entertained around 270 Year 9 students and discussed careers in the service, after which they were joined by a further five members of the Jazz Ensemble for the workshop and evening collaboration with the Springwood Big Band.

“The career talks covered joining the RAF, and what it is like being in RAF,” continued Mr Norman, who liaised with Mr Maddison and the RAF to organise the event, with the support of Eddie Seales, Director of the Springwood Big Band, Head of Year 9 Jane Robinson, and Year 9 Manager Pete Cuss.

“There was also a slant towards being a musician in the RAF, as we have a lot of musicians in Year 9.”

Ranging from Years 7 to 12, Springwood’s Big Band members were put through their paces by the RAF musicians before the groups joined forces to perform an informal concert for an audience of around 70 friends and family members.

“The RAF brought some pieces with them, and they rehearsed and worked on them with the school band for 90 minutes before the performance,” added Mr Norman. “The idea was to give our students an idea of what it is like to work at that level, and to also have the experience of working with professional musicians.

“Events such as this cannot be underestimated from both an inspirational and educational point of view. For our musicians, it gave them the experience of performing alongside professionals at a professional level – something many would not have done – and it inspired them to improve on their own instruments.

“For the other students attending the concerts, they heard professional musicians – something that is a huge cultural experience.They also had the opportunity to hear about careers in the RAF and to ask questions of the musicians.

“We were thrilled that the RAF wanted to come to Springwood and tell our students about their lives in the RAF. Their calendar is full – we were lucky to have them.”