World class brass is an extra highlight at King’s Lynn Festival Extra

A packed programme of concerts, talks, workshops and films plus a high-profile art exhibition make up the King’s Lynn Festival Extra weekend on October 12-14.

For many the highlight will be the first visit to Lynn by the world-class Cory brass band who will perform on October 13 at St Nicholas’ Chapel which is renowned for its superb acoustic.

The mini-festival is part of a new cultural tourism initiative across Norfolk and Suffolk which aims to attract visitors outside the traditional tourism season.

The event has a strong heritage theme and events will be staged in Lynn’s historic buildings including the Minster, All Saints’ Church, St George’s Guildhall and the Town Hall.

There will be two coffee concerts which are always popular at the annual July festival. The first on October 12 will feature two winners of the Kathleen Ferrier award – James Newby (baritone) and Joseph Middleton (piano). The event will reflect a song recital by the celebrated 20th century soprano Kathleen Ferrier at the first Lynn Festival in 1951 when she was accompanied by pianist Gerald Moore to whom Joseph Middleton’s skills are being compared.

The next day harpist Oliver Wass will give a coffee concert at All Saints’ Church which has proved a popular and fitting venue for music played on the harp. Wass is an award-winning and highly-acclaimed soloist. Both coffee concerts will begin at 11am preceded by coffee served from 10.30am.

On the evening of October 12 the Minster will provide the setting for Minima to perform live music to accompany the showing of the silent film, Phantom of the Opera, at 8.30pm.

Made in Lynn is the title of the performance by The Brook Street Band in St George’s Guildhall at 7.30pm on October 14 at 7.30pm. The band are established interpreters of Handel’s music. They will combine it with music by Charles Burney who was the famed organist at Lynn’s Minster church.

In the Fermoy Gallery at the Guildhall complex works by L S Lowry, John Piper, Walter Sickert and Frances Kearney will be included in an exhibition entitled Place: Modern and Contemporary Works from the Norwich Castle art collection.

It takes its inspiration from Lynn’s rich architectural heritage and explores how artists engage with the concept of place. It will remain on show until November 3.

The weekend’s programme also includes events linked to the newly-renovated

Henry Willis organise at St Nicholas’ Chapel plus organ recitals on the Minster’s Snetzler organ by Martin Schmeding and Henry Fairs.

The Guildhall will be the setting for the showing of films about West Norfolk from the East Anglian Film Archive on October 14 at 2pm.

Call the box office at the Corn Exchange on 01553 764864 or visit www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk