West Norfolk Academies Trust hosts free music week in 2023
A popular community music event returned to Lynn recently, delighting music lovers with a week of free entertainment.
Hundreds of guests were treated to a week of live music which welcomed audiences to everything from jazz to punk and everything in between.
The West Norfolk Academies Trust (WNAT) community music week brought together musicians from 11 schools, along with those from other music groups in the area, for a series of performances.
Held in the grounds of Springwood High School, the event catered for a cross-section of musical tastes and attracted around 900 attendees who enjoyed four packed evenings of entertainment.
“It was an amazing week of performances showcasing the talent of music-making in West Norfolk, with everything from choirs to orchestras, concert bands, acoustic covers and even a bit of punk rock,” said Robin Norman, head of music at WNAT.
The week began with an ensemble performance from instrumentalists from different primary schools, before Springwood musicians joined forces with fellow high schools Terrington St Clement’s and Smithdon for ‘transition’ ensembles, where the older students performed alongside younger pupils.
A ‘Pot Pourri’ and jazz evening rounded off the opening programme, featuring Kingsmen, a brass ensemble, saxophone ensemble and big band – along with community groups Catleugh Brass and Centre Stage Springwood’s Swing Band.
Rock and pop came next with a selection of bands and soloists headlining at Tuesday’s event, including musicians from Springwood, the College of West Anglia, and Marshland High School.
“You could say there was something for everyone, and the feedback was tremendous,” Mr Norman added.
Wednesday’s WNAT vocal showcase celebrated the 100th anniversary of Disney, where singers from Heacham Infant and Junior Schools, Snettisham Primary, Gaywood Primary, West Lynn Primary, Clenchwarton Primary and Walpole Cross Keys Primary joined voices with choirs from Springwood, Marshland, Smithdon and St Clement’s High Schools, bringing all the trust’s member schools together for a performance finale.
“The dates are already set for our Community Music Week next summer, and we would welcome as many members of the local community, and the whole of West Norfolk, to join us in celebrating the rich diversity of musical talent both within WNAT schools and also within wider community groups,” Mr Norman said.
“Music is central to the work we are doing across the Trust now, and we want to support the whole of West Norfolk in enjoying music, by giving the opportunity to the local community to experience some live music performances without charge, and also by giving performance opportunities to all local amateur music organisations,” said Mr Norman.
Reporting by Eloise Short
