Young talents perform at Corn Exchange

Young musicians from across West Norfolk came together to perform at the annual Schools Make Music Concert.

Organised by the King’s Lynn Rotary Club, this year’s event took place on Tuesday 19 March at the Alive Corn Exchange, and featured talent from a range of schools across the region.

Among the participants were students from the West Norfolk Academies Trust’s high schools, including performers from Springwood, Smithdon, and St Clement’s.

“A number of schools, from both the primary and secondary sectors, are invited by the Rotary to take part,” said Robin Norman, who is Director of Music at both Springwood and WNAT. 

“Each school selects a group or groups to showcase music in their school, and the concert gives them the opportunity to perform in a professional venue with professional technical facilities (lights, sound), and also to a large audience – most schools do not get that opportunity.”

Springwood’s musicians performed music from Frozen and Frozen 2, along with Irish-themed pieces which included a version of Lord of the Dance.

Mr Norman was there to conduct the Springwood Concert Band, with the support of music teacher Neil Quinn, while Samantha Ashby led St Clement’s school choir with the help of Head of Music Jo Kemp, and Music Lead Andrea Miller led the Smithdon group.

“The event traditionally finishes with the Springwood Concert Band and, indeed, that was the case this year,” continued Mr Norman.

“It is always great to see so many children of all ages just enjoying making music, but this year, for the first time ever, we finished with a massed finale with all the students performing together in an arrangement of ‘Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, let by the Springwood Concert Band.”

“It is always a wonderful experience to bring together young musicians from different backgrounds with differing levels of experience,” he added.

“That is why events such as these are important – they give an opportunity to listen to other students, and to learn, and be inspired, by them.”